Georgia State holds candlelight vigil for Coordinator of Greek Life

Georgia State students, faculty, and community members gathered this Sunday evening to hold a candlelight vigil for Coordinator of Greek Life Lucille Whiten Ausborn.

Students, friends, and family of Ausborn lit candles in her memory after hearing opening statements by Umama Kibria, Phi Mu Alumnae Relations Chair.

“Upon hearing the news of Lucille Whiten Ausborn’s death, members of all Greek organizations were deeply saddened. She instilled a sense of Greek Unity by creating Greek Week, and other related events that promoted pride and teamwork.” Marcus Kernizan, president of Student Government Association at State, said. “She also was a mentor to many students and always had an open door policy. Although Lucille was only here for a short time, her legacy will last a lifetime.”

Greek Week, initiated during the time Ausborn held her post, is an annual GSU event that is the result of the collaboration of all of State’s fraternities and sororities. The event promotes cooperation between Greek organizations and allows students an opportunity to learn more about Greek life and how they can get involved.

“Lucille was such a kind-hearted person and a pleasure to work with. We promoted Greek Unity while she was here and she helped manage four of the councils which work with all 29 of the Greek chapters at the school. She really changed the atmosphere of our Greek life from highly individualized to a more open environment in which all the different organizations could work together.” Umama Kibria said. “She has had a highly positive impact on the way Greek life is run, and on all the students who participate in it.”

Over 150 students, Greek and non-Greek members, faculty, friends and family of Ausborn attended the ceremony. Head of Ausborn’s sorority, Kris Bridges, Phi Mu National president, also was in attendance and shared her thoughts.

“We are so grateful to Lucille and what she was able to accomplish here at Georgia State. We are very proud of her as a Phi Mu and she truly lived by our creed, being such a positive influence to so many women and men in the entire community. We are very saddened by her loss and proud of the changes and impact she had on the Georgia State community.” Bridges said.

Family members of Ausborn were in attendance as well and said they were thankful for such a wonderful event honoring Lucille.

Yvonne Whiten, Ausborn’s stepmom, requested that people who wish to leave comments or memories about Ausborn can do so at her infant son, Evan Kindle Ausborn’s Facebook page “so that he will get to learn when he gets older, all the wonderful things his mother did.”

Ausborn graduated from Western Carolina University and held two positions at Western Georgia University before arriving at Georgia State on April of 2010 where she was responsible for advising Greek organization leaders and members.

The Phi Mu chapter at State will be holding a closed ceremony for Phi Mu members and alumnae on Tuesday, January 15^th at 7 P.M. in the Student Center.