Friends and family of Daniel Boyer '94 took time to remember him this week.
Boyer, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on October 26, 1993, was awarded a posthumous degree. His father, Daniel Boyer III, accepted the diploma in a private ceremony on Wednesday.
"It is important to remember Dan because he was a member of the Dartmouth community who contributed much both inside the classroom and out of it. As a student, his record speaks for itself," said Teoby Gomez, dean of the Class of 1994.
The Friends of Dan Boyer, a group formed by students to raise funds for a substantial gift in his memory, dedicated four crab apple trees in front of Collis and marked the spot with a plaque. The plaque reads "In Loving Memory of Daniel B. Boyer IV from his friends and the Class of 1994."
At the dedication on Wednesday, Boyer's friends Jordan Frank '94 and Ryan Victor '94, and his father spoke briefly, and a mixed group of College singers sang "Dartmouth Undying." To conclude the ceremony, everyone in attendance observed a moment of silence.
"This is a time for closure as well as recognition of Dan. He's a member of our class, and he always will be a member," Amie Rappoport '94 said. "Most of us met Dan here, and when we think of him, our memories of him will be at Dartmouth."
Friends of Boyer also distributed yellow ribbons to be worn on Class Day and during the Commencement exercises. They are yellow because "it is the color most of us associate with Dan who always wore this bright yellow L.L. Bean jacket," Rappoport said.
"The ribbons are a symbol of our memory of Dan as a classmate and a recognition that he's graduating with us."
