My heart breaks for all those whose lives will be forever scarred by the events which occurred at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) on Friday, May 23, 2014. Six young people, four men and two women were murdered. The young man who committed the atrocities is also dead. Seven lives cut brutally short; it is so very sad.
The murderer, whose name I am purposely not using, seems to have been mentally ill. I find it very disturbing that someone who was raised in and around Hollywood did something that could have been from the pages of a movie script. Hollywood’s fascination for violence and the use of “disposable people,” those who don’t make it to the end of the movie, greatly disturbs me. It’s also my opinion that the gratuitous use of violence in films and video games desensitizes people, especially young people, to the profound loss and deep grief that is death.
The killer targeted the Alpha Phi chapter. No one answered his pounding on the door. He then turned his hatred to three women who were outside nearby. He murdered two Delta Delta Delta members, Veronika Weiss and Katherine Cooper, and injured a third, Veronika, a freshman, had just joined Tri Delta; Katherine was about to graduate. I pray that the third Tri Delta and the other injured victims recover quickly.
One account of the tragedy quoted a former president of another National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) organization. “It’s hard thinking my actions, being part of a sorority, led him to do this,” she said. “Oh no,” I want to tell her, “this is about mental illness, not about sorority life.” And if sorority life comes into it, it’s the Hollywood interpretation of it and not the reality of chapter meetings, philanthropy, academics, and adhering to the values of the organization. I am confident that none of the 26 NPC groups’ values include “living up to the Hollywood bimbo interpretation of sorority life.”
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all those affected by this atrocity. To the Tri Delta chapter, I send my Panhellenic love, and I hope you all realize that the bonds you share can help you get through it. Your open motto, “Let us steadfastly love one another,” says it all.
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This weekend, Pi Beta Phi lost one of its most grand Grand Presidents. Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg served in that capacity for 6 years, from 1985-91. I became a fraternity officer just after the convention at which she left office. I did not have the opportunity to work directly with her until several years ago when she chaired Pi Phi’s Centennial of Literacy Celebration.
Carolyn with sculptor Doug Young and landscape architect Alexa Boubelik. The photo was taken after the statue of “Miss Dell” and her student was unveiled during the Pi Beta Phi Centennial of Literacy celebration in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of knoxnews.com)
Carolyn was both creative and organized. The Centennial Plaza in Gatlinburg, dedicated in November of 1912, began as her vision, and was brought to fruition through her determination. Miss Dell and her student (Carolyn called the student Max, the name of her grandson) are at the center of the plaza. It was a wonderful weekend celebration and Carolyn’s attention to detail was evident in so many touches.
Carolyn was a member of the Ohio Alpha chapter at Ohio University. The chapter celebrated its Centennial during Carolyn’s term of office. Her daughters, Betsy and Sara, are members of Pi Beta Phi. The words of Pi Beta Phi’s Memorial Hymn seem fitting right now.
Sometime, at dusk when the sun sinks low
The flight of my arrow shall end.
Through the silent hush of the evening glow,
I shall slip away my friend.
But the silken tie of the wine and blue
Will bind through eternity
And friendship’s chain of golden hue
Will link eternally.
Added 6/2/2014 – A memorial service is planned for 4 p.m. on June 7, at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Kellett Chapel. 3434 Roswell Road NW, Atlanta, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
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An hour or so after I posted this, I heard about the death of Maya Angelou, the poet, author, filmmaker, and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was a national treasure. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” is one of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes.
© Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2014. All rights reserved.
