Shannon McNamara’s memory lit the hearts of those who remembered her as the glowing candles in their hands lit a path across campus last night.

“Shannon McNamara, A Walk to Remember” united more than 1,500 people in celebrating the life of a girl who was described over and over again as a light.

Those who attended the event gathered in Lantz Gymnasium and walked quietly bearing candles to Greek Court to honor McNamara’s memory.

“We’re here this evening to celebrate the life of Shannon McNamara and also to mourn her sudden and tragic death,” said interim President Lou Hencken in his opening remarks at the ceremony. “Her death extinguished one of the brightest lights at this campus.”

The song, “Go Light Your World,” with lyrics that mirrored the life McNamara led, accompanied a slide show of pictures of Shannon and her closest friends.

The lyrics, “Carry your candle. Run to the darkness. Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor,” played while photographs of McNamara with her friends and Alpha Phi sorority sisters elicited tears and hugs from viewers.

Students, faculty, staff and members of the community then soundlessly began their candlelit walk across Eastern’s campus under the clear dusky sky.

Once at Greek Court, Father Chris Brey of the Newman Catholic Center read from the book of 1 John and offered some words of encouragement and hope.

“The light of a candle is only the symbol of the light of the love of God in your heart,” he said. “(Shannon’s) life and love and light has spread into all of our hearts.”

Brey quoted words spoken by Cindy McNamara, Shannon’s mother, who couldn’t be at the ceremony: “In this week of violence, I imagine that God put Shannon in the welcome committee of heaven.”

Natalie Pavone, a friend of McNamara, read a poem entitled “Shannon,” by Anne Peterson, that highlighted McNamara’s brightest qualities and achievements.

The poem praised her athletic achievements, love for people, volunteer work, giving heart, listening ear, family closeness, Alpha Phi sisterhood, compassion and willingness to share.

Carissa Brooks and Becky Leman, also friends of McNamara, shared some words in remembrance.

Leman recalled McNamara’s humility, willingness to do anything for a friend, beauty, talent, intelligence, wit and loyalty.

The ceremony closed with Hencken presenting McNamara’s diploma, and he passed along a request from her mother that the university never forget Shannon.

Hencken asked for those willing to do one random act of kindness within the next year so McNamara’s memory will live on to raise their hands.

Every hand went into the air.