Arkansas Baptist College Students Celebrate Slain Student's Life
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: October 4, 2012
"It's sad to lose someone you became real close to in a short time," one student said from the stage.
For some, Tuesday evening's service was a time to share stories. Many didn't want focus on how he died, but the spirit of the young man they described as hardworking and chivalrous.
"He used to come in my room at the same day every time I use to get mad, he was banging on the door," another friend shared.
"Every time I seen him he would
say, like just play something for m,e so I want to play something for
him," a classmate said, as he sat down to play a gospel song
on the piano in his memory.
"I've only knowing him for a
short amount of time but he had a major impact on our lives, he was
like the perfect gentleman, he was a sweetheart," said Ayanna Walker.
While the memorial was a time to reflect on the past, for
many it was also about the promise of the future and the lasting
impact they say Olivier will have on their lives and the campus.
"For all the work we've tried to do to upgrade and improve
access it just blows up in your face but we're not discouraged,"
said Arkansas Baptist College President Dr. O. Fitzgerald Hill.
"He
will forever live on at Arkansas Baptist, we're not going to let his
name go down in vain," Walker added.
Students and
faculty members are taking two charter buses to his funeral Wednesday
in Louisiana, Olivier's hometown.
When they return, the school's president
vows to come up with a strategy to make sure his memory loves on, on
this campus.
