Kiara Catanzaro
News Editor
Following the death of Tyler Davis, a sophomore history major, in November, students from the class of 2016 have gathered to preserve his memory on campus.
Trish Gould, a sophomore accounting major, designed t-shirts in honor of Davis. She hopes the money raised will be used to build a memorial to remember Davis, which has yet to be determined.
Students can purchase the shirts through my.sbu.edu under the student services tab. There is a link titled “T-shirts for Tyler Davis” under the “Bona Bus/Club Trips and Events” category. The shirts are $12 or $16 for people who want the shirts shipped to them directly. Students can place orders through Sunday, Jan. 26.
Gould said her friend Keriann Kelly, sophomore sociology major, gave her the idea for the saying on the back of the shirt.
“I was responsible for the creation of the shirt. However, my friend Keriann gave me the idea of the saying on the back that says, ‘We may not be angels, but we have one on our side,’ which I thought was clever,” Gould said. “We had to get special approval in order to use the design because St. Bonaventure is strict about what students can use. Luckily, they liked it for the shirts.”
The shirts have the university’s name on the front with the six-wing seraph emblem, and the back has the quote Kelly suggested along with, “Remembering Tyler Davis, class of 2016.”
Kelly got the idea from what her cousin experienced when a student passed away from her high school.
“I got the idea from a few years back when a student at my cousin’s school in Buffalo passed away in a car accident,” Kelly said. “Her school made shirts similar to the ones that we’re selling for Tyler, and my cousin told me it was very comforting to have a t-shirt in memory of her classmate.”
Kelly said it’s important for students to purchase the shirts because it will keep Davis’ memory alive with the campus community.
“I bought a shirt, and I think other students should buy shirts as well,” Kelly said. “From what I’ve heard, Tyler loved St. Bonaventure, and I think that these t-shirts are a great way to have a lasting memory of him on campus.”
Gould said it’s important for the campus community to remember the life of Davis because of his connection with the St. Bonaventure family.
“Davis is still a part of the Bonaventure community, which is why I feel tied to his passing,” Gould said. “To me, any death on this campus is almost like losing a part of your family. I personally think it’s a good idea for people to support the cause because even a t-shirt allowing the school to remember him is good. Hopefully, we can make that memory more permanent on campus.”
Some students purchased the shirts because they hope to keep Davis alive in memory. Emily Jo Manchester, a sophomore Spanish major, said buying a shirt was motivation to remember the important aspects in life.
“I did it because I’m afraid years from now I’ll forget the impact the death of someone so young had on me,” Manchester said. “I always want to be inspired to save lives and not take my own for granted.”
catanzka12@bonaventure.edu
