Fundraisers, funeral services being planned for Corey Jackson

In the midst of an autumn chill, brisk wind and driving rain, hundreds of people gathered outside Vandenberg Hall to honor the memory of sophomore Corey Jackson on Wednesday night. The 19-year-old from Warren took his own life in a wooded area of campus on Tuesday.

“In the pouring rain, they poured out their hearts,” Oakland University Vice President for Student Affairs Mary Beth Snyder said of the several hundred people who attended the vigil.

The event welcomed family members, students, faculty, staff and many supporters who refused to let the discomforting conditions draw them away from a moving celebration of Jackson’s life. When the wind or rain extinguished a flame lit in his honor, a lighted candle was quickly there to reignite it.

Addressing those gathered, Jackson’s grandmother, Carolyn Evans, suggested that it must have been raining because the angels were crying. Like many who spoke, she also shared thoughts of how her grandson brightened the lives of those he knew and loved.

The vigil also welcomed moving thoughts of support from Dr. Lisa Dalton, an associate professor of social work.

OU student Matthew Parry sang “Amazing Grace,” the gathering observed a moment of silence and many of Jackson’s friends and acquaintances shared thoughts and memories of him. Prominent in these remarks were descriptions of his friendliness, upbeat personality and an ever-present smile he shared despite the personal difficulties he must have been suffering.

“People thought it was a very touching ceremony and that it is was definitely worth standing out in those conditions,” said Student Body Vice President Amy Ring, who helped organize the vigil. She added that the turnout demonstrated a heartening level of solidarity and support on campus.

“People are taking this really hard, but in a positive light, I know that this will bring this campus closer together. People are going to go out of their way to make people feel comfortable and to let them know that they’re not alone.”

Another way in which the campus community is uniting is to help Jackson’s family with funeral expenses. A number of fundraisers have been organized.

Those interested in helping the family can do so by bringing cash or check contributions to the Center for Student Activities on the lower floor of Oakland Center. A fundraising account has been established through the OU branch of Credit Union One and checks should be made out to the "Corey Jackson Memorial Fund."

Also, the Circle K community service and leadership development student group has organized a memorial wall fundraiser in the Oakland Center food court. Through the end of the week, patrons can elect to donate a dollar or more and have a signed support card posted on the memorial wall.

“We all felt it was important to give back to him and his family,” said Maria Willett, an OU sophomore and friend of Jackson. “We loved him so much and this is just one way we have of showing it.”

In addition, the Environmental Society at Oakland University has organized a fundraising event with Coldstone Creamery in the Meadowbrook Village Mall at Walton and Adams Roads. Owner-Manager Todd Frerichs said that a portion of all sales between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. this evening, Thursday, Oct. 21, will be donated to help Jackson’s family.

On Friday, the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity will sell purple and yellow ribbons in Oakland Center to help raise funds, as well as to support suicide awareness and speak out against hate directed toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Still other events are being organized, students and university staff say, and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

A funeral service has been planned for Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Harold W. Vick Funeral Home, located at 140 South Main Street in Mount Clemens, Mich. A public viewing take place from 2-7 p.m., immediately followed by the service from 7-8 p.m. The funeral home phone number is (586) 463-0098.

Oakland University Housing is offering students without a means of transportation to the funeral an opportunity to ride the Bear Buses there on Sunday. There are a total of 22 seats available. The buses will depart at 5:30 p.m. and return at 8:45 p.m. Those interested in riding should e-mail to KKaplan@oakland.edu to make a reservation.