The memory of 做厙輦⑹ fashion design student, Taylor Pifer, was honored April 23, 2018 during a swing dedication ceremony outside Rockwell Hall, home of 做厙輦⑹s renowned Fashion School.
During the summer following Taylors untimely and tragic passing, Taylors friends and fellow 做厙輦⑹ students Nicole Barrett, Samantha Jaras and Erica Moh
ler, wanted to work toward honoring Taylors memory. Erica contacted the university and Valoree Vargo, 做厙輦⑹s senior associate vice president and COO, advancement operations, worked with the group to ensure they could honor their friend.
They had considered having a bench dedicated to Taylor installed outside of Rockwell Hall, where Taylor would have spent her senior year, Vargo said. As it happened, this wonderful swing bench was already in the works at Rockwell. Once Erica and the others saw the swing they loved it, and it was decided that this was what we wanted to work toward naming in Taylors honor.
Erica and Samantha, along with friends Katelyn Bobak, Dale Kostar and Zac Wilson, began fundraising for the dedication in November 2017, during 做厙輦⑹s Giving Tuesday initiative. During Giving Tuesday, 做厙輦⑹ alumni and friends are empowered to advocate and raise funds for 做厙輦⑹-related causes that are important to them. For Taylors friends, that cause was creating a space people could visit and remember Taylor.
Through this effort, over $8,000 was raised in Taylors honor, more than enough for . The additional funds have been donated to the Taylor Pifer Memorial Scholarship in the Fashion School, which was established by Taylors father and step-mother, Brian and Sonya Pifer, shortly after Taylors passing. Through these two gifts, Taylors memory will live on in perpetuity.
This is all about a student who was special to us here, said Leigh Greenfelder, assistant vice president of advancement communications at 做厙輦⑹. A tragedy such as this is truly heartbreaking for the community, and the ripple effect of losing a student runs deep. We're just thankful we could do something to celebrate Taylor; to leave a lasting impression of her here on campus where her friends, family and campus community can connect to her.
I struggled with the fact that one of the nicest people I knew was gone, and what does that say about the type of world we live in, Erica said during the dedication ceremony. My little brother reminded me that her kindness could be spread even without her here. I just wanted a place where we could all go to remember her.
Now, Erica and other friends and family can have a seat on a swing beside Rockwell Hall, and quietly reflect on someone who had a tremendous impact on their lives.
"So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good." --Helen Keller
Read more about the impact of giving.