Brian Peck, Director of Development in the College of Computing and Informatics and the School of Data Science at UNC Charlotte discusses his close involvement with and support for the Parlier and Howell families on behalf of the University following the campus shootings of April 30 2019. [All times approximate]. [00:00] Introductions and reflections on Mr. Peck's path to his position in Advancement at UNC Charlotte. [07:30] Mr. Peck describes his personal experiences on April 30 2019 and his heightened communications with family, friends, and work colleagues following news of the campus shooting. [17:33] He reflects on campus events following the shooting and how he was asked to interface with and support the Parlier and Howell families in concert with Brenda Shue and Mark Colone. He reflects on his dedication to service, his empathetic nature, and how he felt honored to be able to support the families. [28:00] He recounts the extreme difficulty for the Parlier and Howell families in negotiating the Commencement ceremony just ten days after the shooting. He describes how the University facilitated an intimate meeting between the Howell and Parlier families to allow them time to mourn and grieve together in privacy. He stresses the grace, strength, and determination of both families. [36:47] He describes how the families were taken to see and select from the archived mementos left on campus to honor and commemorate Reed and Riley, and he describes a short video he had created for the families. [44:50] Mr. Peck discusses long term positive outcomes from the tragedy, with the creation of scholarships to honor and remember Reed and Riley that were supported by thousands of people. [49:00] He discusses his continuing connections to the Parlier and Howell families, reflects on the plans for a Remembrance Memorial, and on the different ways that families mourn. He concludes with a story about the significance of butterflies to the Parlier family in commemorating Reed's spirit.
