Memorial Bench Donated in Student’s Name

Just three days after Christmas Day 2010, the campus community was mourning the loss of student Giselle Charissah McComb ’11 of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, who passed away on December 28 from injuries sustained in a car accident. On April 26, students, faculty, and staff gathered outside of the library with Giselle’s parents, Michael and Janice, to once again celebrate her life and mark the dedication of a bench donated in her memory.

Giselle was a double major in psychology and criminal justice and had a passion for restorative justice. As a student, she was working with the Cook County Sheriff’s office to develop a program in which young offenders were given information about turning their lives around through education.

The Criminal Justice Club, under the advice of Dr. Dennis Connelly, assistant professor of criminal justice, collected donations from generous faculty members and fellow students and raised the funds to purchase the bench and brass plaque in honor of their beloved classmate.

President Steve Timmermans, Ph.D., welcomed friends and family, and Dr.Connelly, Giselle’s former professor, offered words of remembrance.

Reading from Psalm 15, Chaplain Bill Van Groningen said, “In this poem, David reflects on the characteristics and behaviour common to people who love the Lord. Giselle’s life bore witness to this word of God.”

The McCombs closed the dedication with a few words about their daughter and thanked the Trinity community for its support over the years.

“We are so blessed as parents to be a part of this family,” said Janice McComb. “It takes my breath away that people care so much.”