Planting, plaque honor student’s memory

By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

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A fraternity brother of the Youngstown State University student killed at a Feb. 6 off-campus party urges others to appreciate life and those closest to them.

Garold Gipson and several other YSU students started their journey two years ago along with Jamail Johnson to become members of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

“During the past couple of years there weren’t more than a few days that we weren’t together,” Gipson said.

Speaking at a ceremony Tuesday where an oak tree was planted outside of Kilcawley Center, Gipson talked of how his friend Johnson’s death taught him to appreciate life and to value the people that he loves. “Please don’t take that for granted,” he said.

Friends, family and classmates of the late young man huddled under a tent and beneath umbrellas to mark Johnson’s memory.

Johnson, a senior business major who was to graduate this month, was shot and killed while trying to break up a fight at the off-campus house he shared with fraternity brothers.

Cynthia Anderson, YSU president, said the tree is a reminder of a life cut way too short but also as a symbol of Johnson’s life, strength and spirit.

“It will prove to the world that Jamail’s role as a peacemaker will not be in vain,” Anderson said.

Johnson mentored students at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, and several of those students wrote letters to his family, telling them about the positive influence he had on their lives. Dan Smith, a behavior-intervention

coordinator at Wilson, said the students raised money at a school dance to help buy the plaque that marks their mentor’s tree.

It was dedicated by the fraternity, the school and the YSU Student Government Association.

Carl Chuey, YSU professor/curator of herbarium biological sciences, said the tree planted in Johnson’s memory will grow into a very large stately oak tree. Its acorns have a rough, fringed cap that provides coverage for the seed.

“Much like this young man provided cover for others,” Chuey said.