December 05, 2017
Memorial Service to remember SIU students killed in fire 25 years ago
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Five Southern Illinois University Carbondale students who died tragically in an apartment fire 25 years ago will be remembered in a special memorial service at 2:15 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Memorial Stone near the Campus Lake boat dock.
Ronald A. Moy of Chicago, Cheng Teck Wong and Mazlina Ab Wahid of Malaysia, Kimioko Ajoika of Japan and Lai Hung Tam of Hong Kong were killed in an early morning fire at the Pyramid Apartments on Dec. 6, 1992. Numerous other students were injured, some severely, in the blaze.
A quarter of a century later, these young scholars, who were predominately international students, have not been forgotten. SIU’s Student Affairs is hosting the service in honor of those killed and hurt.
The service
Guest speakers for the service include current city and SIU officials as well as people who were involved in SIU student government and services at the time of the tragedy. Brad Cole, who was SIU Undergraduate Student Government president in 1992 will speak as will Carla Coppi, who was serving as assistant director of International Student Services (now the Center for International Education) at the time.
Chancellor Carlo Montemagno and Carbondale Mayor John “Mike” Henry will offer remarks about the sad day in the university and town’s history and Lori Stettler, interim vice chancellor of Student Affairs, will close the brief event with a moment of silence for those who lost their lives and those seriously injured.
Everyone is welcome to attend the memorial service.