UT Austin Stages Vigil Honoring Slain Student Killed On Campus One Year Ago

AUSTIN, TX — Some 200 members of the University of Texas at Austin community, mostly students, gathered at the Main Mall section of campus Monday evening for a vigil honoring slain student Haruka Weiser who was killed on campus one year ago.

UT-Austin President Gregory L. Fenves made opening remarks during the solemn occasion at the steps of the University of Texas Tower that began at 8 p.m. Minutes before the vigil, the bells of the clock tower were programmed to play "Imagine," by John Lennon, setting the mood for reflection and introspection.

"She represented the very best of this university," Fenves said of the 18-year-old freshman from Portland, the eager dance major with plans to become a ballerina before her life was cut short. "she embodied our values. Haruka spent her days as a high school student immersed in dance; she was driven to succeed."

And yet after settling into university life at UT-Austin, the young transplant grew to love the city. Fenves, who has been in contact with the student's family since her death, said her father reported Haruka had become a true Longhorn who was suddenly into football after moving here to pursue her dance studies.

"Her dad was amazed," Fenves told the gathering. "He told us she loved UT, and she loved living in Austin. I can say without hesitation, the honor was hours."

A letter from Haruka's family, a copy of which was delivered to the Austin Police Department, was read at the vigil. In it, the family's wishes that all students remain safe on campus is conveyed.

Sylvia Feghali, who was Haruka's roomate, read a letter from the slain student's family. Since the young woman's death, the family has stayed in touch with campus officials, helping to implement the "Be Safe" campaign focused on safety. Weiser's family has also conveyed a plea to students, asking them all to perform a good deed — each small act of kindness performed with Haruka in mind, in honor of her.

"As we carry Haruka's legacy, on April 3, we kindly aske you to do small random acts of kindness for anyone around you, such as buying a cup of coffee or lunch, complimenting others, anything you can do," the family's letter read. "You might feel like walking away from your friends who are suffering because you do not know what to say or what to do. You do not always need words. You can just walk along with them or just sit with them. We all can feel the presence of you who truly care."

Student government vice president Micky Wolf noted that a flame was added as a stylistic feature to the "Be Safe" campaign in honor of Haruka. In keeping with a tradition of Japanese culture, she was given the name Bright Faith following her death, he explained.

After the prepared remarks, the speakers lit candles and proceeded to the gathered masses to ignite theirs. Soon, the Main Mall was dotted with flickering flames illuminating the darkness as night fell. A moving rendition of the Prayer of St. Francis by Sebastian Temple filled the air as students, some of whom openly wept, huddled together for comfort.

Then, the tower pealed its bells again in the penultimate melodic strains. Eighteen chimes were heard, each one representing every year of Haruka's life. The postlude music to end the vigil was Walk With Me by Moby, a title that shares its name with one of the Be Safe campaign.

Weiser went missing on April 3 of last year after leaving a night class at the Fine Arts Building. Her body was found two days later along the portion of Waller Creek that runs through campus. Her killer, a transient teen, is now behind bars after being charged with her murder.

The Be Safe campaign is part of Haruka's legacy, an awareness campaign her family helped to design. The campaign has three main messages:

• Walk With Me, an invitation to walk together on campus, and to take care of one another.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings, a reminder for students to put their cell phones down and keep their eyes and ears on what's around them.
• Call 911 Anytime You Feel Unsafe, a reminder that dialing 911 is the fastest way to get help from police any time someone feels unsafe, or needs help during emergency situations.

>>> Photos by Tony Cantú

From earlier:

AUSTIN, TX — Members of the University of Texas at Austin community will gather Monday night on campus to stage a memorial for Haruka Weiser, a freshman who was murdered one year ago today as she walked back to her dorm from class.

Weiser went missing on April 3 of last year after leaving a night class at the Fine Arts Building. Her body was found two days later along the portion of Waller Creek that runs through the campus. Her killer, a transient teen, is now behind bars.

The memorial is scheduled at the Main Mall at 8 p.m. on Monday.

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