 Lauren's Tree near the lower entrance to Clark. |
On November 13, 1999, a tree in the science quad at Williams College was dedicated to Lauren's memory. Many alumni, faculty, friends and family came to this Homecoming event to honor Lauren and to share their experiences and memories of her.
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The tree's location in the quad is just about perfect because it is adjacent to Clark, the Geosciences building, where she spent so many hours in the computer lab overlooking this very spot and because, when weather permitted, some classes were held outdoors there. In addition, Lauren participated in organizing a class sleepover that was held in this same location.
 Another season, another view. |
Many who attended the tree dedication took the opportunity to speak to the group and informally share their thoughts and remembrances of Lauren. Two examples:
First, offered by Mac Harman."Hi, Lauren."
"Hi, Mac."
I would rush into the Geo computer lab, sit down, start logging onto email, and then I would typically relax.
"How's it going?" I'd ask.
The typical college student would reply with the requisite "fine" or "OK."Not Lauren. She wouldn't let anyone get away with that. She might eventually say "I'm fine," or something of that nature; but it would only be after she had forced me to take the time to pause and think. Lauren wasn't being selfish. Rather, Lauren has this special way of making you center yourself, to think for a moment about what is important. It is somehow her nature to emanate peace and calm, and to always make room to care. It's difficult to describe, and it is truly unique to Lauren. . .
Second, from Sam Teplitzky.
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. . . When we were tutorial partners, each week one of us would find the most obscure, hysterical, and probably irrelevant phrase within any assigned journal article and challenge the other to fit it into her paper - under [Professor Ronadh Cox] Ronadh's nose - without interrupting the flow, just a covert cue for a chuckle or sidelong glance during our meetings. I think it was that dash of mischief that made Lauren Lauren. Maybe mischief isn't the right word, but Lauren emananated a sort of luminous spark that made learning with her infectious, and being her friend is a privilege that I'll always cherish.