Colgate Graduation

After several months of silence, I'm writing to commemorate Kevin's final achievement. This past weekend, Mom, Dad, and I traveled to Colgate for graduation.

Kevin was awarded his posthumous Colgate diploma at the commencement ceremony. We walked across the stage in his place and accepted the degree. After we shook Colgate's President's hand, I looked into the audience to see every single person on their feet and applauding Kevin's memory. Every professor on stage was also giving Kevin a standing ovation. This was the sort of support we received all weekend from the Colgate community. We can't thank the members of the community enough. The weekend was incredibly emotional for us, since we were flooded by so many memories of Kevin being so happy at Colgate. However, the love and support we felt from Colgate students, professors, administrators, parents, and staff comforted us that Kevin's legacy at Colgate will not fade anytime soon.

Kevin also received an honorary prize, the Norma Vergo Prize, from the Geology Department. This prize was presented to Kevin for "significantly contributing to the spirit of excellence among his fellow undergraduates" in the department (as well as having the department's second highest GPA.) They said, "Kevin was an outstanding student whose love for learning was evident in all his academic pursuits."

Kathlin graduated this weekend, and we were thrilled we could be there to support her. We tried to concentrate on her whenever we would become too overwhelmed with missing Kevin. Kathlin will be taking a year off before beginning a post-baccalaureate pre-med program at Bryn Mawr. Her experiences over the past two years have made her want to head into the medical field. We all know she'll make a wonderful doctor and patient advocate, so we're very excited for her to embark upon this next journey -- after a year of well-deserved rest, travel, and a bit of work in the medical field.

It was somewhat therapeutic for us to spread some of Kev's ashes around campus. We are comforted to know a part of Kevin will always be at Colgate.

Thank you all for your support over the past several months. We miss Kevin so much, but your love has helped us get through this. Thank you.