Page 118 - ThePhoenix1994-95

Commentary Friday, February 17, 1995, Page 2 The Phoenix Editor·ln-Chief Lisa T. Hill '97 On several occasions during the fall semester, the Western Maryland College Advertising Manager community was violated and disrupted by David Weigelt '95 racist vandalism on the golf course and ten- nis courts. As Trustees, we are distressed Business Manager when any individual exhibits hatred and Pamela Barry '96 disrespect for others and for the commu- nity. We abhor actions that attempt to di- News Editor vide us. Western Maryland College is a Michelle Hamilton '98 community of individuals from many di- verse races, cultures, religions, and other On The Hill Editor backgrounds. Together we "see and work Jenny Daino '95 toward ... personal goals while respecting others and sharing responsibility for the On The Hill Assistant Editor common good." (WMC First Principles) Jonathon Shacat '98 We are strengthened as we reaffirm our community values and work together in a Photography Editor united response. Aden Mages '97 Statement Endorsed by Sports Editor the Executive Committee Jay Hilbert '95 of the Board of Trustees December 14, 1994 Distribution Manager Amy Weigelt '96 WMC remembers General Staff Aaron Alhburn '97, Paco Frisuelos DougCombs Kromer, Jill Marron '97, Chrissy Pardew '97, Ross Hollebon '97, Josh Foster '96, John Manard, Stewart UyLISA (,HILL Bittel '95, Bill Bower '95, James Etlilor·if1-Chie[ Riggins 'sa Students, faculty, and family members filled brave enough to be a deep, good friend to many Doug meant everything to the Phi Delts, ac- little Baker Chapel Sunday night to remember people." He added, "Remembering him, Iwill be cording to the brothers who spoke and the quiet Layout Staff Doug Combs, the WMC student who died in a able to live out my life a little more honestly." presence of the entire fraternity. They saidhe was Pamela Barry '96, Lisa Hill '97, tragic automobile accident on January I, 1995. Saporaalsospoke of Doug's drive tosuccecd "relentless, and dedicated to having fun." James Riggins '98 Driving alone in the early hours of the new and try new things. "Heenj~ye9.tackling~un'- :!' "He~ways~ewhp'wl;O~e:~C}I.I~l;l~," year, Doug's car hit a patch of ice and spun out of rains even though he knew he'd falloff the first said sophomore Phil Simmerer. ., Faculty Advisor control, resulting in his death. Noone else was time," Sapora said. "He didn't mind falling back Doug's father, Robert E. Combs, also spoke, Terry Dalton involved in the crash. off those mountains." asking the students present to take the lesson of At the memorial service, which was ar- "He was not afraid to speak his mind," said this tragedy to heart: "If you drink, don't drive," ranged by Phi Delt brothers James Felton and Mr. Terry Dalton, professor of journalism, as he he admonished. Although Doug's blood alcohol Steve West with help from Dean Disharoon,As- related how Doug was the only one who ever level was fine by the legal standards in 1994 (it sociate Dean of the First Year Program, many signed his course evaluation sheets, along with the went up in as of 1995), it was still enough to im- professors who knew Doug well and several of phrase, "You would know by the hand writing pair his judgement and lead to his accident. his fraternity brothers, friends andatquaintances anyway.' "[Alcohol related accidents] are the number shared their memories of Doug as he lived. A journalism minor, Doug was "always ajoy onecause of death in this country," his father said. The Phoenix is published bi- AJ; Rev, Mark Lancaster, the presiding min- to have in class," according to Dalton. In a letter he had written 10 Dalton after Doug's weekly. The opinions expressed do not ister, remarked, the service was to celebrate Dr. Jane DeGroot, another communications death, Mr. Combs said, "We should never forget necessarily represent those of The Phoe- Doug's life. not mourn his death. "We need to professor who was close to Doug, said that she the reason why Doug's nOI here tonight...pledge nix staff, the faculty, or the administra- recall the good times we shared with Doug ...share went back and read all of his papers that he had on this campus and everywhere to eliminate Let's the of alcohol and driving. deadly combination not picked up. DeGroot said that she found a very torsofWMC. our memories," he said. Laughter was heard The paper welcomes free-lance through the tears as memories of Doug's won- touching and thought-provoking phrase in an ar- do this for Doug.". interview, junior physical edu- In a separate submissions on Macintosh disks in most derful, caring personality and great sense of hu- tide among those papers. "Grief is neither simple we cation major Cindy Anders shared her personal nor optional," she read. "It is painful, because word processor formats. The editor re- mor surfaced. feel the severing of all the bonds we have formed experience with alcohol. Better known as serves the right to edit for clarity, length, Several phrases kept reoccuning as people with that person one by one." She added that there "Noodle," Anders went into rehab two years ago and libel and to publish as space permits. spoke: "sensitivity," "grearsenscofburnor," "car- All submissions (excluding self-ad- ing," "passion," "friends with everyone." Or. wa~joyinrememberingDoug,andmouminghim for an alcohol problem. "Alcohol may not be dressed diskettes) become the property Robert Sapora, professor of communications, is "not just painful. We had many laughs over his crack, but it is a drug," she said. "It doesn't mean aruicsin andourofclass. it can't kill." Thereis a lot of pleasure of The Phoenix and cannot be returned. which was Doug's major, called him "a noble Please include a name and young man ...coumgeous ...painfully honest. ..and to be had in remembering Doug." While in rehab, Anders saw thercalityofwhat phone number for verification. Names r.============='il Several of'Doug'sfriendsard fratemitybroth- alcohol can do to people that few people, espe- will be withheld only by the discretion erssaidtheycanimaginehimupinhcaven cially college students, get to witness. "At this romping with John Earl, a close around age, we think weare invincible, but one little wrong of the Editor-in-Chief. friend of Doug's and the Phi Delt frater- dccisioocouidcru.mgeyourlifeandthelifeofthose The Phoenix docs not discrimi- nate based on age, race, religion, gen- nity who died of cancerlast summer. WMC, Jer- you love," she said. "People here drink and drive all the time and don't even think about it. [believe emy "Pugs" Osteen,ajuniorhereat der, sexual orientation, national origin, said, "I picture him up there hanging out things happen for a reason, and hopefully this will condition of handicap, or marital S1_?tuS. with Jesus ...one day we'll all be up there, open people's eyes," she added emotionally. hanging with him," he added. Anders showed me a little coin she received Mail to: 'The last thing Doug ever wanted was whenshc finished rehab which she believes is good The Phoenix for anyone \0 hurt," said junior Heather to remember when thinking of Doug. Written on WMC, 2 College Hill Reese, a dose friend of Doug's who lived the coin was the "Serenity Prayer," which reads: Westminster, MD 21157 CONTACT VI](I AT with him at the beach this past summer. "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I EXT. 212 She repeated a rhyme Doug told her to cannotchange,couragelOchangethethingslc~Ul, (410)751-8600 8:30·4:30 MON-fRI cheerherup: "Crocodile.crocodile.crcco- and wisdom to know the difference." (410) 876-2055, ext 8600 dile, won't you smile, smile, smile," which "If we could all only live by that, we could brought a laugh from the crowd. "So I be a lot better, no marrer what ourproblem," she always try to smile," she added. said quietly.