STUDENT MEDITATION GARDEN TO BE

DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF CANDACE ALLEN SCOLA

(Worcester, MA – September 3, 2003) Candace Allen Scola was a bright, engaging student at Worcester State College (WSC) when her education -- and her life -- was cut short by an unknown assailant more than a year ago. Her violent death sent shockwaves through her classmates and professors. Members of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the Geography Honor Society of which Scola was vice president, decided to establish a “Student Meditation Garden” on campus grounds, dedicated to her memory, and to set up an endowed lecture series in her name for the prevention of violence against women.

“We wanted to do something that we knew she would like, something that would be meaningful,” said WSC student Peter Smith, who serves as the honor society’s president. “It also helps us say goodbye. We hope this garden will help other students who may lose classmates in the future. We also hope that the annual lecture series will bring attention to the growing problem of violence against women.”

Through fundraising, the students were able to establish the garden on the grounds of the Center for Science and Technology, complete with planted perennials and stone benches. The garden will be dedicated at 1 p.m., on Saturday, September 20, 2003 (between the Administration Building and the Ghosh Center for Science and Technology). At 8 p.m., there will be a fundraising concert by the rock band, 4^th Floor, who is donating their time to the cause. The funds will endow the annual Candace Allen Scola Lecture Series. Tickets are $5.00 at the door and further donations are accepted.

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