The sun illuminated the university chapel at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center as an array of people who embody the UH community gathered Wednesday for the annual Day of Remembrance.
President Renu Khator, Rabbi Kenny Weiss and Pastor Blake Arnoult led a memorial service that included candle lighting, remembrance and reflection in honor of all UH students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who have passed away in the last year.
Raul Rodriguez, from the Lutheran ministry, recognized the vast participation of people at the memorial.
“I thought it was very nice to see the different faiths come together to support the different families and show respect for the lives of people that have passed away,” he said.
The diversity of the Cougar community was reflected in the booklet, which included passages about life and death from a variety of faiths, including the Qu’ran, the Tankakh, the Book of Mormon, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” the Bible and Buddhism’s story of the mustard seed.
The sense of community was strong at the chapel as people came together to show their respects, reflect and gain a better understanding of what it means to be a Cougar for life.
“I just felt I should come be a part of it and give them their last honor,” said service attendee and student Obongama Godwin.
Alumnus Lawrence Daniel, the director for Student Affairs, IT and special programs, spoke on the true meaning of the memorial.
“Why we’re here is to make sure students are becoming more and more aware of what it means to be a Cougar and really celebrating your life as a Cougar,” Daniel said. “It is something that has really become a tradition here at A.D. Bruce.”
