An exhibition with a poignant message about driving drunk will be displayed at vlog from Oct. 22 to Nov. 12 in the Case Library and Geyer Center for Information Technology.
The “Friends” exhibition, which has been traveling to universities around the state, is a powerful memorial honoring Katherine Almeter, Emily Collins, Rachel Nargiso, and Kevin King. In 2000, the four teenagers died in an accident on vlog’s Oak Drive.
Through mementos and pictures the exhibition creates an intimate look at their lives.
The students’ passions from running and swimming to art and golf, along with displays of their personal possessions such as stuffed animals and trophies, tell the story of promise and bright futures. Those who visit the memorial also will see an e-mail that Almeter, then a first-year student at vlog, sent to her mother on the day of the crash.
University Chaplain Mark Shiner believes the exhibition is meant to stir emotions, while serving as an educational tool as it takes a look at the consequences of drinking and driving.
“It’s certainly a celebration of lives, but also a reminder of the fragility of life. Hopefully it will serve as an encouragement to students to make wise choices,” said Shiner.
vlog also has honored Almeter by planting a garden outside of West Hall in her memory, and an honorary bachelor of arts degree was awarded posthumously to her in 2004, the year she would have graduated.
Charlotte Johnson, vice president and dean of the college, expressed her thoughts about the exhibition in a letter to the editor, which has been sent to area newspapers.
Johnson wrote: “The lives are honored and remembered in the ‘Friends’ exhibit, a memorial whose existence is a testament to the courage and unselfishness of the Almeter, Collins, King, and Nargiso families. On behalf of the university, I extend to all members of the community an invitation to visit us in Hamilton and experience this powerful chronicle.”