FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2010
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

MUW honors memory of four students at tree dedication ceremony

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Family and friends, as well as the campus community of Mississippi University for Women, recently gathered at a tree dedication ceremony to celebrate the lives of Jamelia Brown, Jaslynn McGee and cousins Catherine Ann Muse and Alondan “Angel” Turner.

Redbud trees now stand firm and tall across from Kincannon Hall, where the freshmen were residents.

Musical selections were provided by the campus group United Harmony, and family members of each student placed flowers at the memorial markers during the dedication.
           
Fellow classmates also released doves, representing the spirits of the students, whose lives were claimed in a hotel fire in January.
           
Anyea Muse, father of Catherine Ann Muse, said, “The dedication was so beautiful.”
           
He added that it is touching to know that he can return to campus and see the tree and marker as a reminder of his daughter.
           
“I cannot put into words the amount of support that has come from the university,” he said. “I appreciate everything the college has done from the bottom of my heart.”
           
Angel’s mother, Alondan M. Turner, said it was the family-like atmosphere that drew her daughter to MUW.She also echoed that the ceremony was beautiful and described support from the university, particularly the staff in community living, as a “blessing.”
           
Jacquelynn McGee, the mother of Jaslynn McGee, said, “We are so proud of the school and what it has done. It shows the love from the school especially to the families. Everything was beautiful.”
           
Jamelia Brown’s mother, Sandra Townes, also said the ceremony was beautiful.

“She (Jamelia) would have loved it. She loved this school. Everyone here has been so wonderful. I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. They have helped me get through this.”