Tree planting ceremony held in Griffin's honor

Family and friends of Brett Griffin, a Sigma Alpha Mu pledge who died last semester after attending a fraternity-organized off-campus party, now have something tangible to keep his memory alive on campus.

In a ceremony Saturday morning, Griffin's classmates planted a tree on Laird Campus accompanied by a plaque with his name inscribed on it in his memory.

The tree, a Delaware native flowering plant, which sits beside McKean Hall, Griffin's residence hall where he spent most of his free time outside of class. It is a symbol of his lasting presence on campus, as well as a physical place for Griffin's friends to reflect on their time shared together.

During the Fall Semester before his death, Griffin was a member of a Freshman Year Experience class of approximately 15 students with undeclared majors under the guidance of professor Kathy Dettwyler.

The class, which met once per week with a goal of becoming more accustomed to life as a college student, focused most of its time reflecting on the theme of nature.

"We talked about the importance of being in nature and its stress-relieving abilities," Dettwyler said. "Our class would read books with nature themes and go on class hikes as a way to reflect on our aspirations and focus our energy. Brett was a part of this."

She said after Griffin's death, the class decided to spend its university-provided money, which each class of this type was given to use as they wished, on a memorial dedicated to Griffin.

The class decided that a suitable dedication to Griffin would be to plant a tree in his memory.

Freshman Kerry Frantz, a fellow FYE classmate of Griffin's, said the tree represented Griffin's connection to and impression on the class.

"It was the most suitable choice based on our class themes," Frantz said. "It's a perfect place for students to come reflect on their time spent with Brett."

Although Griffin was a student at the university for less than three months, his presence made a lasting impression on those who were given the chance to get to know him.

Freshman Laura Healy, who lived across the hall from Griffin in McKean Hall when he died, said Griffin was someone whose genuine personality left a mark on those who got to know him.

"Even though I knew him for a short time, that time had a huge impact on me," Healy said.

She said although she will always remember Griffin for his curly, blond hair and warm, inviting smile, the tree is something tangible to keep his presence alive.

"It is so nice that his classmates incorporated his family and friends into this tree planting ceremony," Healy said.

Besides Griffin's FYE classmates, many of his fraternity brothers, hall mates and family members, including both of his parents, and his closest childhood friend since the first grade attended the ceremony.

Julie Griffin, Brett's mother, expressed her gratitude toward the students who came to honor Brett's life.

"Brett really loved it here," Julie Griffin said. "This would mean a lot to him."