BOTHAM SHEM JEAN: life Botham Shem Jean, 2016 alumnus from Saint Lucia, was shot andkilled in his Dallas, Texas, on Sept.5, 2018. Many groups across campus were affected by the 26-year-old's death and celebrated his legacy of leadership. BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION The Black Student Association (BSA) asked the StudentAssociation · (SA) to join them in hosting a vigil for Botham Shem Jean on Sept. 10, 2018. After hearing about Jean's death, President of BSA junior Makayla Twigg decided to take action and plan a candlelight vigil. The weekly BSA meeting agenda was dropped to discuss Jean. "We spent the time talking about our frustrations and how we all felt about it," Twigg said. "We just had that time to let ourselvesfeel because I think we were trying not to be angry. Everyone was already looking at us like, 'So how you guys feel about it?' So wewere trying to hide it, and that was our time to let it out." Vice President of BSA sophomore Gabrielle Hood said the SA helped pread the word about the vigil through their influence on the tudenc body. "I was just really astonished at the turnout we got and how many people supported Botham." Hood said. "It was just nice to seethe whole Harding communityjust come together for him." The event was planned for the Harding community, but members of surrounding communities who were touched by Jean's passing traveled to Harding to participate in the vigil as well. At the conclusion of the event, students and community members chose to stay and continue the vigil, honoring Jean in song. Secretary of BSA sophomore Otis Idlebird led a prayer at the service. "I'mglad I could get involved and help [with] that," Idlebird said. "It brought everyone together. I think everyone could say everyone was closer in chis time of sorrow and mourning. Things like that just. .. gives me goosebumps." Twigg said the vigil was a time to worship, sing, pray and mourn. "He's still doing work even though he's not here," Twigg said. "He's still making such a difference in people's lives." story by Maleah Brown 30 ROCK HOUSE MINISTRIES & CHAPEL B otham Shem Jean often led singing in chapel and was an Original Rock House Ministry intern at College Church ofChrist during his time at Harding. Jean was described by many as soulful, positive and joyous. President Bruce Mclarty knew Jean well within Jean's first semester at school and saw that Jean had a gift to lead any type of song. McLartysaid he recognized deep feeling and emotion in the songs Jean led. "Though he was a very public figure, he was an unassuming person, which was a rare combination," McLarcy said. "Everyonecould feel comfortable in his presence, and that is a remarkable gift." Debbie Gentry, college and outreach coordinator for che Original Rock House Ministry, met Jean in fall 2011 when Jean began attending College Church of Christ. Gentry said she saw a gift within Jean and began involving him in Bible classes and student-led worship services. "Botham was heavily involved in Bisons for Christ," Gentry said. ''For four years, he took care of the assigning and input of projects and their leaders." Evan Graves, post-baccalaureate economics major, was Jean's friend and spent time with Jean at Wednesday night devotionals. "The thing about Botham is he had a lot of power in his voice," Graves said. "Singing was his calling." During Jean's memorial chapel on Sept. 11, 2018, McLarty recounted the story of when he asked Jean to lead the song "Master, the Tempest is Raging" during chapel in 2012. Jean did not know the song but called his grandmother in Saint Lucia to help him learn the tune and melody. The video ofJean leading the song was played during the memorial chapel and allowed all who were there to feel his presence and get a glimpse of who Jean was. "There will neverbe another Botham," Gentry said. "He loved deeply and everyone with a genuinekindness that is rare." story by Lexi Hoagland . .
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