On May 16, Cabrini held a dedication of a memorial site honoring David Dunbar, PhD, Associate Professor of Biology and Faculty Athletic Representative, who died May 21, 2016.
“As you all know, David was a pillar of who we are and such an essential part of our community,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jeff Gingerich, PhD, addressing a crowd of Dunbar’s family, friends, and colleagues.
In addition to thanking those whose efforts and energy contributed to the site’s creation, Gingerich noted the symbolism of the site. Located directly outside of the Antoinette Iadarola Center for Science, Education, and Technology, the memorial site, designed by Mara Baird, provides a welcoming, green space on campus and is accessible to all. The site’s footprint was provided by a large tree lost to storm damage, and the actual design—a Fibonacci spiral, common in nature—are nods to Dunbar’s love of the environment and desire to be as ecologically friendly as possible. Even the boulders used as seating were repurposed from construction at Rosemont College, and the paving is pervious, allowing storm water to move through it versus run off, meaning special care was taken to address potentially harmful environmental effects. Perhaps most symbolically, the lab used by Dunbar overlooks the site.
“Dave is still here with us,” said Anne Coleman, PhD, Associate Professor of Life and Physical Science and Chair of the Science Department. “We’re still discussing things that Dave contributed to our department: our onboarding, our writing across the curriculum, as we interview new faculty members for this coming year, making sure that they have a passion for undergraduate research, getting students engaged early on. We will graduate this May a student who would not have graduated otherwise had it not been for the impact Dave had on his life.”
“At Cabrini, we like to say that we want our students to learn to live with purpose,” said Gingerich. “There was no greater model than David at living with purpose and living with passion. We will celebrate his life with purpose and passion today and in the days and years ahead, as we remember the life of a great human being with one of the biggest hearts that we’ve ever known.”