Purdue News

January 27, 2003 Eight Purdue students to be recognized at Golden Taps WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Eight Purdue students who have died since March will be remembered on Monday (2/3) during Golden Taps, one of Purdue University's most reverent traditions. The short outdoor ceremony is set for 9:15 p.m. on the steps of Hovde Hall. Families and friends of the students, along with the general public, are invited. People planning to attend should meet at 9 p.m. in the lobby of Schleman Hall, where they will be met by Tony Hawkins, dean of students, before the ceremony. The students to be remembered and their dates of death are: • David Foster Crum, an engineering major from Holland, Pa. (July 31, 2002). • Robert Thomas Duket, a mechanical engineering technology major from West Lafayette, Ind. (January 1, 2003). • Yuvna Dutta, an industrial engineering major from Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (March 24, 2002). • Alton Powen Guh, a consumer and family sciences major from San Jose, Calif. (May 25, 2002). • Sean Paul Keeley, an electrical engineering technology major from Cedar Rapids, Iowa (April 5, 2002). • Andre Carlos Laurendeau, a liberal arts major from West Lafayette, Ind. (April 9, 2002). • Luke Elza Sorrells, an agriculture major from Greenwood, Ind. (July 25, 2002). • Jennifer Marie Tipmore, a consumer and family sciences major from Mooresville, Ind. (July 19, 2002). Drummers and buglers from Purdue University Bands will set the tone for the event by processing from Schleman Hall to the ceremony site where memorial cards will list the names of students being recognized. Bells in the Purdue Bell Tower will toll once for each student being honored, followed by a few moments of silence for personal reflection. The playing of "Echo Taps" and the "Purdue Hymn," will conclude the ceremony. The Boilermaker Special, the university's official mascot, also will stand nearby in silent tribute. Golden Taps has been a tradition on campus since 1994 and was originally held in the courtyard at Cary Quad. Richard Clark, director of residential life, says Golden Taps is a simple and elegant ceremony that provides friends, family and the Purdue community an opportunity to honor their lost loved ones. "We recognize that these people are a part of our family," Clark says. "We hope Golden Taps provides comfort and some closure for those trying to cope with their recent loss." After the ceremony, the Office of the Dean of Students and University Residences will hold a reception for families in the lobby of Schleman Hall. Families also will receive a personalized certificate as a remembrance of the ceremony. CONTACT: Richard Clark, (765) 494-1000, clarkre@purdue.edu. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page