Ceremony pays tribute to deceased students

By Dave Stephens
Assistant Campus Editor

John Donne, the famous poet, once wrote, "Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee."

The bell tolled seven times Monday night, each ring symbolizing the death of a Purdue student this semester.

The tolls of the bell, part of Purdue’s Golden Taps ceremony, echoed across campus, causing tears in the crowd of approximately 50 people to flow openly.

The ceremony began with the crowd standing in silence, gazing at the large plaque set beneath the bell tower. The plaque, listing the names of the deceased students, stood as the focal point of attention until the sharp beat of the snare drum cut through the crisp spring air.

The drum beat grew louder as it approached the crowd, causing many to turn and watch as the progression of two drummers and two trumpeters slowly marched toward the bell tower.

At the stroke of 9:30, the bell tower rang out seven times; each consecutive ring of the bell drawing more eyes shut in the crowd.

After the final toll, the trumpeters solemnly played "Taps," the melancholy music wafting through the cherry blossoms and into the sky. "Taps" was followed by the "Purdue Hymn," played by the chimes within the bell tower.

After the music stopped, many in the crowd looked at each other wondering what they should do. Some exchanged hugs, some exchanged Kleenex, many wiped tears from their eyes before walking slowly into the night.

Many stayed and stared at the names, each one standing out in black bold letters against the gold background. Family members hugged friends of the deceased, glad to know that all was not forgotten.

Leah Schlosser, a junior in the School of Technology, watched the ceremony while standing with the Boilermaker Special, the Purdue train driven by the Reamer Club.

"The Golden Taps was a ceremony I prayed never to experience," said Schlosser.

Schlosser said the memorial to the students was one that would have a lasting effect on her.

"I think the ceremony was very appropriate; I don’t think any of these students will be forgotten at Purdue," said Schlosser.

The students commemorated during the ceremony were: Matthew Troy Cahill, a senior in the Schools of Engineering; Jacob Charles Cushman, a sophomore in the School of Liberal Arts; Kristine Lynn Noonan, a senior in the School of Management; Travis Randall Simpson, a sophomore in the School of Technology; Matthew Stachowiak, a sophomore in the School of Liberal Arts; Loren Edwin Whisler, a non-degree student in the School of Technology; and Laura Marie Williams, a junior in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences.

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Campus editor: Laura Pelner

Assistant campus editors: Kurt Esposito, Dave Stephens

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