Spring Break
Students, faculty voice opinions on future of Bonfire
By: Melissa Appel
Issue date: 10/30/09 Section: News
Students and faculty gathered Thursday at the Bonfire Open Forum to discuss the meaning of Bonfire to the Aggie Family and the possible path of its future return to campus.
The Texas A&M Student Senate planned the event as a way to gather student input and allow everyone a chance to be heard.
"This is really important to both the Student Senate and the student body that we could come together on an issue like this," said Speaker of the Senate Michele Breaux. "It means a lot as an Aggie family that we can come together and talk about where we want to go in the future."
Students began by sharing the meaning of Aggie Bonfire to their own lives and Aggie experiences.
"It's about unity; it's a moment in time when you can come together-everybody, every group, every dorm can work together to a single goal," said Zachary Gibson, a senior human resources and development major.
Attendees voiced concerns about Aggie Bonfire and its future; one of the most commonly mentioned concerns was the safety factor. After the Aggie family lost 12 students in November 1999, all Aggies can agree another tragedy should never happen again.
Kathryn Lucchese has been a lecturer in the Department of Geology for 10 years. On the morning after the collapse, she entered her class to find one student, Timothy Kerlee, was absent. Kerlee was lost in the Bonfire accident.
"I figure the Bonfire has already claimed the Twelfth Man, my student, and there should never be another student claimed by that bonfire," Lucchese said.
Current participants in student bonfire, however, stress safety is the primary concern.
"One thing that is always said is that we're only one major injury away from not existing at all," said Jake Nolan, senior finance major and bonfire participant. "The deaths of those 12 students and the injuries of the 27 are always on our minds. This is something we take really very seriously."
Students also shared thoughts concerning student bonfire and its role in the Aggie community.
The Texas A&M Student Senate planned the event as a way to gather student input and allow everyone a chance to be heard.
"This is really important to both the Student Senate and the student body that we could come together on an issue like this," said Speaker of the Senate Michele Breaux. "It means a lot as an Aggie family that we can come together and talk about where we want to go in the future."
Students began by sharing the meaning of Aggie Bonfire to their own lives and Aggie experiences.
"It's about unity; it's a moment in time when you can come together-everybody, every group, every dorm can work together to a single goal," said Zachary Gibson, a senior human resources and development major.
Attendees voiced concerns about Aggie Bonfire and its future; one of the most commonly mentioned concerns was the safety factor. After the Aggie family lost 12 students in November 1999, all Aggies can agree another tragedy should never happen again.
Kathryn Lucchese has been a lecturer in the Department of Geology for 10 years. On the morning after the collapse, she entered her class to find one student, Timothy Kerlee, was absent. Kerlee was lost in the Bonfire accident.
"I figure the Bonfire has already claimed the Twelfth Man, my student, and there should never be another student claimed by that bonfire," Lucchese said.
Current participants in student bonfire, however, stress safety is the primary concern.
"One thing that is always said is that we're only one major injury away from not existing at all," said Jake Nolan, senior finance major and bonfire participant. "The deaths of those 12 students and the injuries of the 27 are always on our minds. This is something we take really very seriously."
Students also shared thoughts concerning student bonfire and its role in the Aggie community.
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