The French horns sounded soberly and the wind blew harshly as UCA students, faculty and families gathered at the amphitheater to remember UCA Bears who have died in the last year. 

“Every year, we gather on the third Thursday of April to take time to reflect and to honor these individuals,” Provost Michael Hargis, who was speaking in place of UCA President Houston Davis, said. “We remember and honor the impact they had on each of our lives and on our campus.”

Overall, the ceremony, in its fourth year, honored two students, nine faculty and eight staff members who had died between April 1, 2024, and April 2, 2025. 

“This is a solemn occasion, but as we look around at the individuals gathered here today to memorialize our classmates, family members and others, we can take comfort in knowing that we have an entire community of supporters that rally to each other’s sides in moments of grief, tears and sorrow,” Hargis said. 

The ceremony featured a French horn quartet, made up of Dario Lisperguer Soto, Geoffrey Sims, Nathan Smith and Jon Yopp. 

The group played “Sleep Well My Darling” by Jed Gillis as attendees sat solemnly, staring ahead in remembrance. 

Adding to the music was a song performed by Ana Brandon — “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

The ceremony also featured two poetry readings. 

The first was “To Honour You” by Connie F. Kiefer Byrd, which was read by Dean of Students Kelly Owens. 

The poem focused on the bereaved living as a way to honor the dead, rather than being consumed by grief. 

The second poem read was “Remember Me” by Phoenix Vu, SGA president. 

“Remember me as you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity,” Vu read. “For if you think of me I will never be gone.”

The ceremony concluded with reading the names of every student, faculty and staff member. 

For the students, Vu read off the names Clifton Bell and Mandy K. Larios.

For faculty members, Brent Shires, faculty senate president, would read nine names. 

Lastly, Whit Ables, staff senate president, would read eight former staff members names. 

At the end of the memorial service, Vice President of Student Affairs Robin Williamson offered the families of the deceased a white rose. 

Williamson, quoting the poet Xan Oku, said, “May the flowers remind us why the rain was so necessary.”