2008 Woodie Awards
Building celebrated, lives remembered
Gabrielle Dunn
Issue date: 10/26/06 Section: News
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Following the ceremony, attendees gathered outside for the unveiling of a silver memorial plaque for construction workers Robert Beane, 41, and Romildo Silva, 27, and Dr. Michael Ty, 28.
President Jacqueline Liebergott spoke from a podium in the building's lobby as relatives of the deceased lined up against the red-tiled wall opposite the staircase on the first floor.
Liebergott called the ceremony "solemn but reaffirming" and praised the family members on their "steadfast faith and indomitable spirit."
Rabbi Al Axelrad, chair of the Center for Spiritual Life, called the deaths "a blow that has affected all of us profoundly." Axelrad said the entire Emerson community joined in mourning with those who knew the men personally.
Shrouded in black until its unveiling, the plaque on the front of the Piano Row Residence Hall was uncovered by members of the victims' families.
Among the crowd was Edilaine Teixeira, widow of Romildo Silva, holding their 3-year-old son, Ryan.
"The plaque is a sign of deep respect, deep admiration and the deepest of caring," Axelrad said.
In an official statement, Student Government Association President Jamal Barone said, "The dedication ceremony showed great humility in recognizing the unfortunate events. The Emerson student body cannot help but feel a connection to what happened and it's a nice gesture to have this for closure."
Jonathan Schwab, an Emerson journalism graduate student, was on the sixth floor of the Walker Building when the scaffolding fell but did not attend the ceremony.
"What happened was a tragedy," Schwab said. "I received some e-mails about the memorial and plaque and am glad Emerson is doing it. I'm not sure what else the college could do, other than make sure the area is safe."
David Rosen, vice president of public affairs, said the idea for the plaque was Liebergott's.
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