Syracuse University’s flag flew at half-staff.

One hundred SU students packed onto the steps of Hendricks Chapel. Hundreds more spilled out onto the Quad, standing on the sidewalks or in the snow.

They gathered at Hendricks for a candlelight vigil honoring Brianna Herrera, an SU senior who died in a bus crash Thursday night. The Panhellenic Council cancelled Friday recruitment so that its sororities could honor Herrera, a member of the Sigma Delta Tau sorority.

Brian Konkol, dean of Hendricks Chapel, offered soothing words for SU community members at the vigil.

“When we look back, when we look within — even when we look ahead — it’s difficult to find hope,” he said. “There’s very few actual promises we can give to each other in moments such as these. In the end the actual only promise we can give is that we stay together.”

He said the SU community can honor Herrera’s life “by living into the fullness” of their own.

Brianna Herrera, 21, was traveling home to visit family in New York City. The bus she was on crashed with three cars on Interstate 80 in New Jersey. Courtesy of Kelly McKeon

Erica Sosmon, president of Sigma Delta Tau, said Herrera was a “bubbly, spirited and strong woman who was loved by all.”

Madison Albert, a senior information management technology major, said she woke up Friday morning to “the worst news in the world.” Her best friend had died.

“If anyone has seen Bri, you’ve seen me two steps behind her or next to her,” Albert said. “She was my best friend, my sidekick, my partner in crime.”

She and Herrera had made plans to stay close after graduation and visit each other often. They talked about becoming “old ladies drinking margaritas on the beach,” Albert said.  

Emily Barkann, president of the Panhellenic Council, said the council stands in solidarity with Sigma Delta Tau. Recruitment for the council’s 13 sororities will be delayed until Saturday, said Amanda Russell, vice president of recruitment.  

The Panhellenic Council cancelled Friday recruitment so that its sororities could attend the vigil. Lauren Miller | Asst. Video Editor

“While Bri might not have been a member of all our chapters, she was a sister to us all, and it’s important to celebrate her life and pay our condolences to her,” Barkann said.

Coming together in moments of tragedy and hardship is one of the greatest aspects of Greek life, she said. Several fraternities attended the vigil as well.

“As we stand together at the center of our campus, at the steps of the chapel, we are reminded that we need each other to become ourselves,” Konkol said before a moment of silence. “We belong to each other.”

Herrera’s friends huddled together for a moment of prayer.

As the crowd began to dwindle, a small group of women remained on the chapel steps, their candles still burning.

They sang “Hallelujah.”

Published on January 25, 2019 at 11:10 pm

Contact Casey: [email protected] | @caseydarnell_