Loved ones remembered at Campus Memorial Service

By: Lauren Alford

Jr. News Editor

Friends, family, classmates and colleagues gathered to remember those Hudson Valley Community College have lost in the past academic year during the Campus Memorial Service on April 15.

“We have come here today to celebrate the life of a person we have loved and lost,” Michelle Thivierge, Campus Chaplain for Hudson Valley Community College, said.

Thivierge began with a greeting and prayer. This was followed by a reading from the Christian Holy Bible’s book of Isaiah 43:1-2, as well as Isaiah 66:13. These passages referred to God comforting and protecting the ones he has created.

Attendees then listened to Jay Deitchman, Coordinator of International Student Services, recite an English translation of the Mourner’s Kaddish. Written in the ancient Semitic language of Aramaic, the prayer is traditionally recited for 11 months following the burial of a parent. It is recited to show that God will still be praised even in the wake of death.

Biological sciences student, Sayema Matin, then read a passage from the Quran, an Islamic sacred text. The Surah Al-Baqara, Ayah 155-157, mentioned that Allah tests and tries those who serve him. It said that man belongs to Allah, and is thus destined to return to him.

“While life can hand us trying experiences, the believer finds rest in drawing near to the Creator during these difficult times,” Thivierge told the attendees.

Soon after the religious readings, the Voices of Valhalla Choir performed “There is a Balm in Gilead,” an African American spiritual. The choir was directed by music history professor, Mary Ann Gulyas.

As stated by Thivierge, during the grieving process there are days when we can feel less than whole. She continued to say that the very same grief process can, in and of itself, act like a balm.

Louis Coplin, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Development, read “On Grief,” a poem by the late Irish author, John O’Donohue.

Following Coplin’s reading, white flowers we offered to the families of those who had passed on.

“Flowers are a universal symbol of life, affection and beauty,” Thivierge said. “They are a powerful metaphor for life.”

According to Thivierge, our parks, forests, food, agriculture and connection with nature itself would be different altogether without flowers. They show us by their existence what it means to add beauty and contribute to the world in both big and small ways.

“Today we use them as a symbol to remember our dearly departed and the impact their life had here at Hudson Valley [Community College] and within the world,” she said.

As Thivierge called out the names of the departed, student musicians played the Christian hymn, “Amazing Grace.” The remaining unclaimed flowers were displayed in the Campus Ministry.

Eulogies were given by attendees who wished to speak.

Student Senate President, Jamison Jarosz, led the the attendees in a chant of remembrance. As he called out the name of one who had passed, the attendees responded with the words “we remember them.”

After Jarosz’ words, the Choir Club performed “For Good,” a ballad from the broadway musical  “Wicked.”

Following the memorial, attendees were given the option to write the name of passed loved ones in the Book of Remembrance.