Letter to the Editor: April 20, 2010

Thanking all those who helped with Ryan's Rally

I have vowed to not allow Ryan Diviney's savage beating and recovery be forgotten in Morgantown or on the West Virginia University campus.

Over the course of the last fivemonths, I have had the opportunity to communicate with Ryan's parents and sister, and though I have never met the family, they have had a profound impact on me personally.

This past week, I helped to organize a fundraiser to benefit Ryan and his family, and I wanted to extend a thank you to those who helped to make the event possible.

First, I must extend a thank you to my co-hosts Hannah Ellis and Jon Welsh, who worked tirelessly to make this event a success.

In addition, I want to thank my students, friends and family who made this event both a reality and a success.

Also, I want to thank the students, faculty and staff who attended the event and helped to raise both awareness and money for the Diviney family.

I would like to thank the current and former Student Government Association leaders and members who were in attendance.

I must extend sincere thanks to the Dragonfly owner and management who contributed a larger-than-expected donation to Ryan's Rally.

I want to thank Travis Crum and Josh Zontek from The Daily Athenaeum who wrote stories and helped with publicizing and advertising the event, respectively.

I must thank Nikki Loy and her Small Groups Communication class who helped in last-minute publicizing of the event across campus.

I want to thank my colleagues and our staff who made announcements and helped to publicize the fundraiser.

I want to thank Matt Carson who designed the two signs to commemorate the event.

I must thank Lacy Neff and WVAQ, as well as Brandi Brubaker from The Dominion Post for helping to advertise the event. I need to thank all of the Morgantown businesses, managers and employees who donated items for the silent auction.

If you would like to make a donation and were unable to attend the event, please send checks made payable to "Ryan's Rally"to Daniel W. Brewster, 219 Knapp Hall P.O. Box 6326, Morgantown, W.V. 26506-6326.

Daniel W. Brewster
Sociology and Anthropology