After Tornado Alabama Graduates Finally Walk in Cap and Gown
- Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:21pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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About 3,300 University of Alabama graduates have finally gotten the chance to walk in cap and gown, more than three months after a tornado hit Tuscaloosa and forced their commencement to be postponed.
The university held graduation exercises for its class of 2011 on Saturday and Friday night. The school awarded 4,770 degrees in all during three ceremonies, with about 70 percent for students who were to graduate in May but had to wait because of the deadly twister that struck near campus on April 27.
Several hundred people attended a candelight memorial service Friday night for the six students who died in the storm. All six received posthumous degrees. CNN reports:
“This weekend’s graduation helped bring closure, students said, and will help them start anew.
Friday night, the names of the six students who were killed were said aloud at a candlelight vigil on campus.
Scott Atterton, Danielle Downs, Ashley Harrison, Melanie Nicole Mixon, Morgan Sigler and Marcus Smith.
Their families watched as former student government President James Fowler laid down a red rose for each of their loved ones.”
The EF-4 twister that ravaged Tuscaloosa was among 62 tornadoes that hit Alabama on April 27, leaving dozens dead.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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YANKEE216
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:19pmFrom Western New York State, Congrats BAMA! Your a class school in a great state. Roll Tide
Report Post »fiji259
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 11:15amGod Bless Sweet Home Alabama
Report Post »Spark
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:48amRoll (belated) Tide Roll!
Report Post »ILConservative
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:39amThere was no tornado! It was a bunch of illegals with their lawn and leaf blowers, in protest of the new illegal immagrant law!
Report Post »for-what-its-worth
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 10:50am@ ILCONSERVATIVE
There was no tornado! It was a bunch of illegals with their lawn and leaf blowers, in protest of the new illegal immagrant law!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a disgraceful and tasteless post!
These people have faced death and destruction, and you’re going to mock the situation with some childish comments about illegals?
Grow up!
Report Post »AlansTigg
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:07pmCongratulations to Bama grads!
Report Post »pattybbb1
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 2:18amCongratulations. Best wishes.
Report Post »umpireerniebrown
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:09pmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_25%E2%80%9328,_2011_tornado_outbreak
It is important to note that the confirmed deaths from the April 27 event, presently is 239. That is way more than dozens left dead. . .
Roll Tide Roll
Report Post »Mother Hen
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:58pmMan, I am so happy to read some good news. There is a little hope in this crazy world.
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:27pmMe too! Good for them. Congrats.
Report Post »Son_of_Liberty
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:44pm“Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Benjamin Franklin
Time to have some fun!
3%
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:21pmMight as well have fun after all that work. NO WORK HERE ON THE OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »thebabyguy
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:41pmFinally, something nice to cheer about. God bless them all.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:34pmAgreed, God Bless them.
Report Post »Harvickfan29
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:35pmWe’re going to have a lot to cheer about this fall as well. Here comes championship 14 Roll Tide
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