Diag vigil planned for tonight

In the aftermath of the death of LSA senior Tamara Williams, members of the University community are organizing to pay tribute to her life.

A vigil is planned for tonight at 8 p.m. on the Diag.

"I think that the vigil is absolutely necessary to show ourselves and the world that the University of Michigan community stands against the incidents that have happened, and the unfortunate killing of our own because of domestic violence," said LSA junior David Caroline, one of the vigil's organizers and a member of Hillel's governing body. The vigil was originally planned in response to recent hate crimes in the community. "What we need to do is stand together in solidarity. We need to come together, not come apart."

BOHDAN DAMIAN CAP/Daily A mother and child mourn the death of Tamara Williams at a candlelight vigil next to Williams' murder scene Tuesday at North Campus Family housing.

Dean of Students E. Royster Harper said she was proud of how the community pulled together after such an upsetting incident.

"Any time out of a tragedy, you look for ways to heal and be better," Harper said. "There's a sense that what happens to one happens to all. I think it will make a lot of people look at their own behavior. What's so powerful about silence is that you can hear your own voice."

Williams' funeral will be held Saturday at the Eastlake Baptist Church, located at 12400 E. Jefferson Ave. in Detroit. The church will open for visitors at 11 a.m. and services will begin at noon.

In the wake of her death, Tamara Williams leaves behind a 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Kiera, who has become the focus of efforts to memorialize Williams' life.

"We are in the process of setting up a fund with a local bank to accept donations on behalf of Tamara's daughter, Kiera," said Bethany Steffke of the Office of Student Affairs. "It will be an educational fund. We invite everyone to join us."

Steffke said about 10 people called yesterday to find out about ways they could contribute.

"A number of her friends were interested in doing something in her memory for her daughter," Steffke said.

"The spirit behind the fund is to further the education of her daughter, which Tamara was doing on campus through her own education."

Steffke said that it is not uncommon for students to set up a fund after a tragedy. When LSA senior Arati Sharangpani died in a Comair plane crash in January, a fund was established in her name that has already received about $25,000, Steffke said.

This fund for Williams' daughter, which was organized by the Office of Student Affairs, could be a way for students to honor Williams, Steffke said.

"My friend knew Tamara," said LSA first-year student Alfonso Rivera. "We're feeling great sympathy for her daughter. After growing up in inner city Detroit, I didn't expect violence to come here. It really shocked me."

In addition to the general fund, the Michigan Student Assembly has decided to support Kiera and the family by donating a savings bond.

"The assembly voted that we would send a condolence card to the family and invest in a $500 savings bond to show the support for the family and the poor little daughter that was left behind," said MSA Vice President Olga Savic. "We wanted to show the daughter support from the students at U of M."

As the community waits for the vigil and the funeral, many students are trying to get their lives back on track.

"It's still in everyone's mind, but everyone's still doing normal things," said Chris Baumann, Williams' neighbor. "The kids are outside playing. Because we're so close in proximity to where it happened, it's a reminder.

"We're trying to cope and get back to our normal routine. It's something we'll never forget."

LSA junior Quenetee Walton said Williams' murder has heightened her perceptions about domestic violence issues.

"It's making me more aware," Walton said. "It's making me think about who I'll be with."

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