April 1, 2002
Wayland campus mourns loss of student
___By Teresa Young
___Wayland Baptist University
___PLAINVIEW--Plainview clergy and the Wayland Baptist University family came together March 27 in support of students and others affected by the apparent suicide of a Wayland student.
___Meghan Gill, 19, was found dead in a university-owned residence shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday morning. At 10 a.m., university officials called off classes to gather students, faculty and staff into the university cafeteria for a special information session and prayer time.
___During the meeting, in which nearly 100 percent of the residential student body was in attendance, Dean of Students Emmitt Tipton and President Paul Armes informed students about the situation and urged them to work through their grief with faculty, staff and other students. About 50 community members--including clergy from all faiths and crisis counselors--were present to provide counseling support for those affected.
___Through tears, Baptist Student Ministries Director Donnie Brown addressed the students with a simple message, "God is bigger."
___He also led the students in singing a verse of "How Great Thou Art."
___Armes read Scripture, quoting Romans 8:37-39 as a source of peace.
___"There are some mysterious things in life. Sometimes we search for answers when there are no clear answers," Armes said. "Even if we had all the answers, our hearts would still hurt because we sometimes lose loved ones. Those of us who remain must now somehow find the strength to go on and live and work and love."
___Campus counselor Brian McClenagan urged students to seek counseling if they felt it necessary and not to bring added grief by wondering what they could have done differently.
___"I left campus this morning about 6 a.m, ... and the sun was coming up, and I wasn't sure it would," he said. "But it will come up again tomorrow, and the next day ... and I want you all around to see it."
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