Fallen Eagles recognized in ceremony Tuesday

In a quiet room in the Thad Cochran Center, a small group of family, friends and University of Southern Mississippi students and faculty members gathered to celebrate and remember the lives of students and faculty who died during the last year in the Fallen Eagles Ceremony.

This somber ceremony, which was held Tuesday night, is a Student Government Association initiative that has been held annually since 2003 to remember and honor the lives of members of the Golden Eagle family, who many feel were taken too soon.

Each Fallen Eagle had his or her profile read, and a plaque was presented to family members present at the ceremony. There were a total of nine students and four faculty members remembered at the ceremony.

Allie Solomon, SGA Vice President, coordinated the event. Solomon said she has a personal connection with the event and believes it is extremely important for the Southern Miss family to recognize the Golden Eagles who are no longer with us.

“I had two friends commemorated by the Fallen Eagles Ceremony,” Solomon said. “I cherished this opportunity to be able to put on this special ceremony for friends and family members to come together to celebrate the lives of the loved ones lost.”

Speakers and a duet of live musicians honored those taken from the Southern Miss family. The main message of the ceremony was the importance of living a life worth remembering and leaving behind a legacy. Friends and family members before and after the ceremony were seen hugging and reflecting on the lives they were there to remember.

Julisia Coney Wells, best friend of Fredrecka Brown, a student recognized in the ceremony, believes Brown left behind a legacy because she was always herself.

“All of Fredrecka’s friends remember her by her unique laughter and her amazing personality,” Wells said. “What I miss most about Fredrecka is simply having my best friend to talk to. I’ll never not miss her.”

Also recognized at the ceremony were four faculty members. Provost Denis Wiesenburg presented the faculty plaques and said that all four faculty members’ service to the university combined was 100 years.

SGA started the Fallen Eagles Ceremony as a way to remind students, faculty and staff of the precious lives taken from the Golden Eagle family. SGA wanted to show service to the individuals and remind those the impact made not only on the university, but the impact on each of our hearts when a Southern Miss family member dies.

The ceremony was finished with the lighting of the Candle of Life, lit by Wynde Fitts.