Sunday's service in memory of 2007 alum David Rawson began and ended with music and mingling in the Distler Performance Hall.
"This is a celebration, a time to be with him," Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman said.
Reitman, who spoke on behalf of University President Lawrence Bacow and his wife Adele Fleet Bacow, remembered Rawson's "electric" smile and personality.
"He is probably one of the most recognizable faces in our community in the last four years," he said.
Reitman shared a note the Bacows had written to the Rawson family describing the joy that they got from a thank you letter David had sent them.
"I have never seen someone so loved," he said.
Rawson passed away in California on June 28 after an artery ruptured in his chest. He was 22.
While on campus, he was involved in several activities, including the chamber singers and EPIIC, the Institute for Global Leadership's (IGL) intensive seminar that focuses on issues of global importance.
IGL Director Sherman Teichman spoke about his former student's work ethic, dedication and fascination with business and multinational corporations.
Teichman described him as "a man who grew and was open to challenge."
"He left an impact on my life," he said.
Like the Bacows, who were out of town, Rawson's parents could not attend the service on Sunday.
"We are there in spirit," they said in a letter read by David's uncle, Jeff Rawson.
They are currently on a trip to Europe that they originally were supposed to take with David this summer.
Their appreciation of travel might explain why Rawson majored in international relations during his time at Tufts.
His parents described in the letter that their son's interest in foreign culture was sparked by a trip to Hong Kong and Tokyo.
"David was always a happy child and filled our lives with so much joy," they wrote.
Rawson's joy and courage seemed to be the recurring themes of the service. After the scheduled speakers offered their remarks, members of the audience were given the chance to share their stories.
Many in attendance shared funny and inspiring stories about David, some of which elicited laughter.
"It was a celebration of the life of David Rawson and it wasn't meant to be somber," Reitman told the Daily yesterday. "There were opportunities for a lot of 2007 alums to share and that's why we held it during Homecoming weekend, so they could all be there."
The harmony in the crowd echoed throughout the room as friends and family touched one another with their stories.
"You have told me things about David that are making me a better person just by listening," Jim Hogg, a friend of the Rawson family who has known David since birth, said. "God Bless you all."
Rawson was not the only member of the Tufts community memorialized this weekend.
On Saturday, also in Distler, the Office of Alumni Relations, the Black Alumni Association and the Africana Center honored the lives of Gerald Gill and William Jones (E '41).
Gill was an associate professor of history for over 25 years until he died of arterial sclerosis on July 26 at age 58.
Jones, who passed away at 91 on Feb. 8, was an engineer who worked at Harvard and MIT and helped with the development of radar. Jones persevered to many accomplishments despite racism.
