It was a parent’s worst nightmare, but according to Bill O’Bryan, father of Penn State freshman Courtney O’Bryan who was killed in an automobile accident while on a canning trip for THON last December, “what happened before and after is not a tragedy.”
Courtney’s family and members of Sigma Delta Tau sorority and Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and their families gathered on Sunday to recognize Courtney and to dedicate a tree planting and plaque outside of Shulze Hall on Penn State’s University Park Campus.
Courtney and her sorority sisters and brothers from Kappa Delta Rho were on a canning trip to Buffalo in early December when their car spun out of control after hitting black ice. Shulze Hall, located in Pollock Halls, is the location of the Sigma Delta Sorority floor and suite.
Canning has become a tradition in fundraising for THON – the student run philanthropy that raises money for The Four Diamonds Fund which supports the families of children receiving treatment at The Hershey Medical Center at Penn State. Last year’s THON raised more than $10.8 million.
On THON committee approved weekends, students travel to those cities to stand on street corners and ask for money. Courtney’s accident in December, as well as a second accident later this winter which involved eight students in a van that rolled over on a THON fundraising trip, have raised awareness of the safety concerns related to canning.
In response to the tragedy, parents of Sigma Delta Tau members, led by Henry Montag, have worked with university officials to establish the Courtney O’Bryan Memorial Fund. Henry’s daughter, Melissa, was driving the car in front of Courtney in the canning caravan on the way to Buffalo.
The purpose of the Courtney O’Bryan Memorial Fund will be to raise money for safe fundraising practices for THON, including the use of buses to transport students to the major metropolitan areas.
Barry Bram, Penn State faculty advisor for THON, Elaine Tranella 2012 THON Overall Chair and Will Martin, newly appointed 2013 THON Chair were present at the tree planting ceremony.
Speaking at Sigma Delta Tau’s parents weekend brunch at the Toftrees Resort and Convention Center after the ceremony, Montag addressed Courtney’s family and her friends and their parents.
“We were told that it might take up to five years to endow the Courtney O’Bryan Memorial Fund but because of your efforts, we are pleased to announce that we have raised enough money to have met that goal in six weeks.’
Penn State Alumni Association chapters from Northern New Jersey, New York City and Long Island as well as the Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group of Penn State have been instrumental in efforts to support the Courtney O’Bryan Memorial Fund.
O’Bryan, of Huntingdon, N.Y., was in her first semester at Penn State when the accident occurred. The members of her pledge class spoke at the ceremony as did her mother, Lisa Brigandi, and her father, Bill O’Bryan.
“Every word to every song reminds us of our loss,” said O’Bryan. “The sun goes down. The stars come out. And all that counts is here and now. My universe will never be the same.”
For more information or to make a donation to the Courtney O’Bryan Memorial Fund visit Courtney O’Bryan Memorial Fund.
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