Community should choose to celebrate Smith’s life

TO THE EDITOR:

Courtland Smith was so much more than a student, friend or fraternity president. He was a driving force for the betterment of the entire Chapel Hill community.

Smith found countless ways to use his position as president of the Delta Kappa Epsilon house to promote worthy causes. I especially remember his efforts on behalf of Habitat for Humanity.

It was not uncommon to find Smith at a Habitat work site early on a Saturday morning, hammer in hand. Smith was involved in the funding of Habitat as well, as he was one of the organizers of last year’s 5K run which netted thousands of dollars for the cause.

But even more than his individual efforts, his leadership was his true mark on these projects.

He fully believed the members of DKE were his brothers.

Because of this fact he tirelessly pushed them to work on projects such as Habitat, for the improvement of themselves as well as the community.

During this tragic time it seems natural to look toward blame and vindication. I know that I have certainly had these moments.

However this attitude all too often proves fruitless, and even more importantly it takes away from the legacy of one of the university’s best and brightest.

My greatest hope is that we can move forward by celebrating the life of a deeply good person rather than concentrating on his death. The Chapel Hill community owes him that.


Kelly McCallion
Sophomore
Journalism