On October 24, Interim President Everett B. Ward, faculty, staff and students planted crape myrtle trees in memory of student-athletes Ronald Cunningham Jr. and Matthew Mangram near the SAU football field.

The occasion of the ceremony was reflected in the remarks prepared by Breona Hayes, coordinator for the University’s Freshman Writing Initiative Program Coordinator. (who delivered the remarks? I don’t remember but I don’t think it was her) nShe reminded everyone in attendance how the trees symbolized the lives of Cunningham and Mangram.

Each leaf represents a person they have met and friendships developed. The branches offer us support and hope everyday as we grow and cope. The trunk serves as the foundation that helps us stand. May the trees remind us of whom we love and will forever be in our hearts. May the trees dig deep roots and grow wide branches to bear witness to God’s abundant love and grace made known to us through our brothers.

Cunningham, who was majoring in computer engineering, was a first-year student from Dinwiddie, Va. He was a freshman offensive lineman on the football team. He passed away Sunday, April 6, 2014.

Mangram, a junior offensive lineman on the football team was in a tragic car accident on Monday, September 29, 2014. He was. A native of Darien, Ga., Mangram was a Criminal Justice major.