Many thanks to all of you who have contributed in so many different and
important ways to help Amanda Billington's family through this difficult
time.  I won't remember everyone's names, but I wanted to at least
acknowledge a few of the people (in no particular order) who went above and
beyond the call of duty to pull together the memorial service and provide
for the family's needs.

Thanks to Susan Cardwell in the Chancellor's office, who was a miracle
worker.  Among countless other things, Susan arranged for the cremations to
be "donated", which was a huge relief to the family.

Thanks to Beverly in facilities, who contacted churches and neighbors in
the area of the Billington home.  Many people turned out to see that the
lawn was cut, the family was fed, and even that Amanda's uncle from England
will be entertained (it turns out that he is a motorcycle fan, and will be
attending Nightfall tomorrow night on a Harley -- as someone who has never
even visited Chattanooga before, I am sure he will be amazed!).

Thanks to Richard MacDougall, Ellen Neufeldt, Linda Gehron, and all the
other folks who helped with the Memorial service, and arranged for Father
Mike Linder to provide his support to the family and to conduct the service.

Special thanks to Father Mike and the Catholic Student Center staff for all
they did, including their contacts with OLPH Catholic Church who provided
the reception food after the memorial service.  Father Mike, I didn't get
to tell you at the service, but we especially appreciate the way you
stepped in and gave this family the emotional and spiritual help they
desperately needed.

Thanks to Chris ? who produced the beautiful and heartwrenching video
remembrance of Amanda, and whomever has made it possible for that video as
well as the video of the memorial service to be copied onto the video
format that is used in Europe, so the families can take home copies to show
to the relatives who could not travel here.

Thanks to Terri Hunt in media resources, to graphic services for producing
the memorial service programs, to Dr. Charles Lippy and Vanessa Kimbrough
for providing the music, and to all those in facilities involved in the
production of the memorial service.

Thanks to the students in Criminal Justice and Psychology, faculty members
in both programs who coordinated the service, and members of the graduate
school, the graduate student association, and the student government
association for their contributions.

Thanks even to the Bursar's office for their help with Amanda's summer
tuition situation.

And thanks to all of you who called me about donations, about the dogs, and
everything else.

Again, this is just a partial list of those who helped over the past 10
days.  I apologize for any omissions.  As tragic as this whole situation
has been, I found it inspiring to discover so many folks in the UTC
community who would do so much for a student they barely knew, and her
family members from other countries whom they had never met.  I am proud to
call this place home, and UTC my family.

Sincerely,

Amye Warren




Amye R. Warren, Ph.D.
UC Foundation Professor of Psychology
Psychology Department
615 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN  37403
(423)755-4262; 755-4293