March 7, 2007 - The Rotunda

When I was a college student like you there was a song embraced by my generation during the 1960s. I am sure you have heard the song, “Turn, Turn, Turn,” written by Pete Seeger.

At a tragic time like this, I take some comfort in that song, knowing that there truly is “a time to be born, a time to die, a time to laugh, a time to weep, a time to dance, a time to mourn.”

We have lost one of our own. Ed Cunningham was a bright, energetic pre-engineering senior who was looking forward to completing his engineering degree at Virginia Tech. His friends say he always had a smile on his face. His brothers in Alpha Chi Rho fraternity say it was hard to be in a bad mood around Ed because he was always such an upbeat person. He was often seen on campus and around town on a skateboard and he enjoyed playing all kinds of games. We will miss Ed and his smile. He will always be a son of Longwood.

We also mourn the loss of Byron Jamerson, who was Ed’s best friend. They both grew up in Appomattox County and, though Byron was not a Longwood student, we feel like he was because he had so many friends here. He worked for J.E. Jamerson & Sons, the company that is constructing our new health and fitness center.

While we mourn the loss of Ed and Byron, we must also rejoice for the lives of those who were saved. As tragic as this fire was, it could have been much worse if it had not been for the heroic rescue efforts of your classmate, Timothy Cocrane. With absolutely no regard for his own safety, Timothy broke down the door of the house and alerted the occupants.

I do not like to use the term, “hero” lightly, but Timothy is a hero. His efforts saved the lives of Samantha MacKenzie Fulton, Daniel A. Yates Jr., and Scott Aaron Freer. In doing so, Timothy suffered second-degree burns. He remains at VCU Medical Center undergoing treatment—please keep Timothy and the families of Ed and Byron in your thoughts and prayers.

In the days to come, I want you to remember that life is precious. I want you to embrace your friends and family and remind them that you love them. And I hope you, too, can take some comfort in the words from that old song, “To every thing, there is a season …”