Parents of Students Missing in Haiti Quake Tell U.S. to 'Get in There'

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Re: Parents of Students Missing in Haiti Quake Tell U.S. to 'Get in There'

Remains of Lynn student in Haiti identified

Slideshow
Courtney Hayes (Lynn University )

BOCA RATON, FL--The remains of a Lynn University student killed in the Haitian earthquake have been identified.

The mother of Courtney Hayes confirmed her daughter's remains have been identified from DNA and dental records.

23-year-old Courtney was among a group of students from Lynn University at the Hotel Montana on the day the earthquake struck.

The building collapsed in rubble.

Britney Gengel, 19, of Rutland, Mass.; Stephanie Crispinelli, 19, of
Katonah, N.Y., Christine Gianacaci, 22, of Hopewell, N.J.; Patrick Hartwick, 53, dean of the Ross College of Education; and Richard Bruno, 59, assistant professor, were also last seen at the hotel before the earthquake struck.

After four weeks of wondering Courtney's mother received a call from the U.S State Department Wednesday around 1:30 p.m.

A memorial is planned for this weekend at a Methodist Church in her hometown of Douglas, Georgia.

A second body from Lynn University has also been identified, but that person's name has not yet been released.

http://www.wptv.com/content/news/southpbc/bocaraton/story/courtney-Hayes-hotel-montana-lynn-student-body-ide/bZVyhEV8c0aIZ-jC99KfTg.cspx

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Re: Parents of Students Missing in Haiti Quake Tell U.S. to 'Get in There'

Excerpts:

Lynn officials notified of death of Journey of Hope student Courtney Hayes

By Lynn University on <ABBR class=published title=2010-02-10T19:53:50-05:00>February 10, 2010 7:53 PM</ABBR>

Lynn University officials have received word that the U.S. Department of State contacted the Hayes family earlier today to confirm the passing of Lynn student Courtney Hayes. Courtney was one of four students still unaccounted for in Haiti. Two faculty members and three students remain missing at this hour.

President Kevin M. Ross offers reaction

Lynn University President Kevin M. Ross issued the following statement after learning of the confirmed death of Courtney Hayes. This will be the only public statement offered at this time.

"The news we received this evening was not the news we ever wanted to hear. Courtney Hayes was an inspiration in life, and in death will be remembered for her giving spirit, warm smile and so much more. Our prayers are with the Hayes family this evening, as well as with Matt, the Sears family, and all of Courtney's loved ones and admirers here in Boca Raton, in Georgia, and around the world."
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Lynn officials notified of death of Journey of Hope student Christine Gianacaci

By Lynn University on <ABBR class=published title=2010-02-11T14:52:21-05:00>February 11, 2010 2:52 PM</ABBR>

Lynn University officials have confirmed that the U.S. Department of State has notified the family of the passing of Christine Gianacaci. Christine was a sophomore from Hopewell, N.J.

Fourteen members of the Lynn community were in Haiti on a "Journey of Hope" service trip when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the island on Jan. 12. Eight (8) members of that group were evacuated from the country and returned to campus on Jan. 14. Two students and two faculty members remain unaccounted for.

The Gianacaci family has requested privacy at this time and will not be taking or returning calls for comment. The university asks that members of the media please honor that request.

President Kevin M. Ross offers reaction

Lynn University President Kevin M. Ross has issued the following statement (below) in reaction to today's news. This will be the only public statement offered at this time.

"We are devastated to have lost Christine- a young woman who was a bright light in the life of her family, her friends, classmates and teachers. Our thoughts and prayers are with John and Jean, J.P., and the rest of the Gianacaci family, as well as Christine's friends and the many other people who were touched by her life."

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Lynn officials notified of death of Journey of Hope student Stephanie Crispinelli and Education Dean Patrick Hartwick

By Lynn University on <ABBR class=published title=2010-02-12T16:16:30-05:00>February 12, 2010 4:16 PM</ABBR>

Lynn University officials have learned that the U.S. Department of State has notified the family of the passing of Stephanie Crispinelli, a sophomore from Katonah, N.Y. The family of Dr. Patrick Hartwick, Dean of the Ross College of Education, were also notified of the death of Dr. Hartwick today.

Of the 14 members of the Lynn community who were in Haiti on a "Journey of Hope" service trip, one student and one faculty member remain unaccounted for.

The Crispinelli and Hartwick families have requested privacy at this time and will not be taking or returning calls for comment. The university asks that members of the media please honor that request.

President Kevin M. Ross and Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Patterson offer press statements

Lynn University President Kevin M. Ross and Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Patterson have issued the following statements (below) in reaction to today's news. These will be the only public statements offered at this time.

President Kevin M. Ross:

"I am deeply saddened to learn about the loss of Stephanie. She had a real passion for serving others. Upon returning home from the Journey for Hope trip in Jamaica in January 2009, she began collecting sneakers and sports equipment to send back to the island--this after meeting orphans there who played soccer without shoes or equipment. This was the type of young lady she was--one who sought out need and then, when she found it, tried to remedy it. We are so proud to have known her. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lin, Lenny, Nicholas, Mike and all of Stephanie's friends and loved ones during this difficult time."

Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Patterson:

"As a colleague and educator, Dr. Hartwick garnered the respect of faculty and students for his uncompromising commitment to making a difference in the lives of students and educational institutions. An advocate for excellence in education, Dr. Hartwick dedicated his considerable talents to ensuring that every student had the opportunity to reach their potential as students and citizens. He believed in the power of education to eradicate ignorance and promote justice and his life's work is clearly a testimony to his professional and personal commitments. He was a dear friend and I will miss him terribly."

http://alert.lynn.edu/

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Re: Parents of Students Missing in Haiti Quake Tell U.S. to 'Get in There'

Lynn officials notified of death of Journey of Hope professor, Dr. Richard Bruno

By Lynn University on <ABBR class=published title=2010-02-13T13:27:37-05:00>February 13, 2010 1:27 PM</ABBR>

Lynn University officials have confirmed that the U.S. Department of State has notified the family of the passing of Dr. Richard Bruno. Bruno was an assistant professor in Lynn's College of Liberal Education. He joined the university four years ago.

Of the 14 members of the Lynn community who were in Haiti on a "Journey of Hope" service trip, one student remains unaccounted for.



The Bruno family has requested privacy at this time and will not be taking or returning calls for comment. The university asks that members of the media please honor that request.



No additional information is available at this hour. Any breaking news will be shared exclusively on this site.


Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Patterson offers reaction

Cynthia Patterson, Lynn University's vice president for academic affairs, has issued the following statement (below) in reaction to today's news. This will be the only public statement offered at this time.


"With compassion, care and a deep commitment to helping others, Dr. Bruno became one of Lynn's most respected and effective professors. Able to impart his love of learning to his students, Dr. Bruno challenged each and every student to discover their potential and pursue their goals and personal aspirations. Beyond his considerable contributions to students' academic achievements, Dr. Bruno's greatest contributions to the Lynn community lie in his leadership as an advocate for human dignity, social justice and international cooperation. The consummate global citizen, Dr. Bruno committed his life professionally and personally to the service of others and to promoting a more just, equitable, and peaceful world. We will miss him terribly."

http://alert.lynn.edu/

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Re: Parents of Students Missing in Haiti Quake Tell U.S. to 'Get in There'

Lynn professor identified; one student still missing



Updated: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010

BOCA RATON ? Palm Beach Post Staff Report

Excerpts:

"A second Lynn University professor has been identified amid the rubble of a decimated hotel in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Lynn University officials Saturday confirmed the passing of Dr. Richard Bruno, 59, an assistant professor in Lynn's College of Liberal Education. He joined the university four years ago."

"Of the 14 members of the Lynn community who were in Haiti on a "Journey of Hope" service trip, one student remains unaccounted for ? Britney Gengel, 19, of Rutland, Mass."

Read more at:

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/lynn-professor-identified-one-student-still-missing-235589.html?cxntcid=breaking_news

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Re: Parents of Students Missing in Haiti Quake Tell U.S. to 'Get in There'

Body of Britney Gengel identified in Haiti


Posted: Today at 2:45 pm EST



RUTLAND, Mass. -- The body of Lynn University student Britney Gengel was found at the rubble of the Hotel Montana in Haiti, according to family members.

"Our Valentine, Britney Gengel was recovered by COL Norberto Cintron and identified by the State Department today. Even though our hearts our breaking, we are so grateful to the men and women who have worked at the Hotel Montana for the past 33 days," said the Gengel family in a statement.

Read more at:

http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO135565/

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Re: Parents of Students Missing in Haiti Quake Tell U.S. to 'Get in There'

Hundreds attend funeral for Rutland student who died in Haiti

February 20, 2010 04:43 PM
By Kathy McCabe, Globe Staff

Nineteen-year-old Britney Gengel was remembered at a funeral service today as a young woman with a big heart who had found her calling during the community service mission to Haiti in which she died, a victim of the massive Jan. 12 earthquake there.




Britney Gengel


Hundreds of Gengel's family members, friends and fellow students at Lynn University filled St. John's Catholic Church for a funeral Mass. The 90-minute service drew top government officials, including US Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, Congressman James McGovern of Worcester, and Haitian Consul Emanuelle Dupiton, along with a representative of the US State Department.

The pastor of the church recalled Gengel as a young woman who had organized a toy drive at St. John's each Christmas. "I mean, she was in charge -- not her mother, not her pastor," said the Reverend John Madden, eliciting chuckles from the estimated 1,000 mourners who filled the red-brick church near downtown Worcester.

Madden also praised the faith of Gengel's parents, whom he said give generously to St. John's. "That inspiration came to her from her parents, Len and Cherylann," he said. Madden called the 39 days for which Gengel was missing "a story of faith, all the way through."

"Britney was blessed physically, she was emotionally blessed, she was materially blessed, but most importantly she was spiritually blessed," Madden said.

"What was most important, I think, was that she did it with such joy, with such vitality," he said.

In an emotional eulogy, her parents, with their teenage sons Bernie and Richie at their sides, thanked the work of those who had helped bring their daughter home.

"We know in our hearts we would not have gotten her back," Len Gengel said, his voice breaking. "We are eternally grateful to everyone one of you who have helped us these past 39 days. God bless you," he said to applause. Cherylann Gengel praised her husband for leading the effort that led to the recovery of Britney and seven other students and staff from Lynn University from beneath the rubble of a collapsed hotel in Port-au-Prince.

"This really would not have happened if Len did not advocate for our daughter. I need to publicly thank Len for everything he did for us," she said, and the congregation stood in applause.

The mother said her only daughter and eldest child found her calling during her short stay in Haiti, where she was attending a program to feed the poor. She recalled a phone conversation with her daughter on the night of Jan. 11, the day she arrived.

"She fell in love with the people of Haiti, but especially the children," she said. "As a mom, I ache for the children of Haiti, but I am so proud of my daughter."

She pledged that the Gengel family will "keep her memory alive."

"We will continue Britney's work to help the people of Haiti. You know why? Because she was fabulous," the family said in unison.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/02/hundreds_attend_2.html

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Re: Parents of Students Missing in Haiti Quake Tell U.S. to 'Get in There'

Be Like Brit

Positioning Statement

For the poorest of the poor, Be Like Brit is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the children of Haiti. Be Like Brit will continue the compassionate life and legacy of Britney Gengel by establishing a safe, nurturing and sustainable orphanage in an environment where children can grow, learn and thrive.


More at:

http://www.britneygengelspoorestofthepoorfund.com/

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Re: Parents of Students Missing in Haiti Quake Tell U.S. to 'Get in There'

"Journey of Hope" Memorial Service


A memorial service will be held to celebrate the lives of those we lost on the "Journey of Hope" trip to Haiti.

This event is open to the public, and doors will open at 1 p.m.

All Lynn University classes will be canceled on Friday, March 12 to allow students and faculty the opportunity to attend the service.

<TABLE class="vertical listing" summary="Event details"><TBODY><TR><TH>When</TH><TD>Mar. 12, 2010
from <ABBR class=" dtstart" id=parent-fieldname-startDate title=2010-03-12T14:00:00-05:00>02:00 PM </ABBR>to <ABBR class=" dtend" id=parent-fieldname-endDate title=2010-03-12T15:00:00-05:00>03:00 PM </ABBR><!-- End Time -->
</TD></TR><TR><TH>Where</TH><TD class=location>de Hoernle Sports and Cultural Center </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://www.lynn.edu/about-lynn/news-and-events/events/journey-of-hope-memorial-service/view

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Re: Parents of Students Missing in Haiti Quake Tell U.S. to 'Get in There'

Nov 29, 2010 12:53 pm US/Eastern
Family Who Lost Child In Haiti To Open Orphanage


MIAMI (CBS4) ―

Britney Gengel died in Haiti's January 2010 earthquake. Her parents plan to build an orphanage there in her honor.

Gengel Family/CBS


Lynn University student Britney Gengel fell in love with Haiti and resiliency of its people while she was there on a goodwill mission. The 19-year old, who died in the January earthquake, told her parents about her goal to remain in Haiti and build an orphanage.

Her parents plan to fulfill that legacy.

On Monday they arrived in Miami with equipment and supplies to make a dream come true – a dream outlined in a text message that Britney sent her parents just three hours before the earthquake struck.

"Her last wish was to go back and build an orphanage," said Britney's mother Cherylann. "So we're going over to Haiti and honor her last wish which was to build an orphanage."

[...]

http://cbs4.com/local/Lynn.University.haiti.2.2026563.html