Graham Spanier Remarks
Memorial Service
September 23, 1996

Last week the unimaginable occurred at Penn State, a senseless and random act of violence that killed one member of our University family and seriously injured another, and left thousands of our students, faculty, and staff enormously shaken.

We are here tonight to remember, in the presence of her family, Melanie Spalla, who tragically lost her life last Tuesday on the HUB lawn. Many of us had not yet become acquaintedwith Melanie, but we deeply mourn her loss from our University family nonetheless. We have come to learn about the life that she led here, the effort she gave to her goals, the friendship she enjoyed, and her anticipation of the future. All of us know she should have had much, much more.

All of Penn State is greatly saddened and hurt by Melanie's murder. We are also angry that this happened at our university and deeply anxious about the feelings of vulnerability surrounding this tragic event.

I cannot explain why this happened but I know we must honor Melanie by remembering her and by gathering strength in our lives from the joy for life she displayed in hers. Her death underscores the importance of putting people first now, in healing the psychological wounds of our University family.

We may never be able to see in time all the inner troubles that move some individuals to destructive acts, but as an academic community we can certainly do something to understand the roots and culture that breed violence and other harmful behaviors.

We will continue to struggle to come to grips with the terrible tragedy that has occurred and eventually the pain of this brutal experience will subside. But we'll never be quite the same as we were, for all those who were victimized during this tragedy have come to know personally how precious and fragile life is and how much we must live for each other.

And while we experienced darkness last week, there was, thankfully, one light so bright I must mention it. I saw a level of caring and compassion I have never seen in my lifetime. I witnessed scores of students, faculty, staff, and citizens beyond the university reaching out to each other in support. Your presence here tonight is yet another demonstration that most people do care and that most people have a fundamental humanity within.

So, for Melanie, we must give a little extra to life to compensate in some small way for her loss.

For Nicholas Mensah, we must be supportive and encourage his healing.

And we must pray also for those everywhere, who by virtue of psychological impairment or inadequacy of values have devalued human life.

For everyone in our University family, we must help one another through this tragedy and ultimately carry on. Our thoughts, our hearts, and our prayers are with Melanie and her family.

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