Library archives preserve Remember the Ten memories

Friday, January 21, 2011

READ COVERAGE ON THE 2001 PLANE CRASH AND 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Over the next week the Oklahoma State University family will pause to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Jan. 27, 2001 Colorado plane crash that killed 10 men associated with the OSU basketball program. There are many ways the university honors and preserves the memory of those 10 men and the impact their lives and their deaths have had on their families, friends and OSU community.

One of the ways the university preserves their memory is through the Edmon Low Library Special Collections and University Archives. To date more than 1,500 items have been collected.

“This extremely challenging event had an impact on many individuals, both within and outside of the university community, and we felt it was our obligation to collect what we could to preserve the memories of the 10 individuals who lost their lives and the thoughts of those who loved them,” said David Peters who is the coordinator of the library’s special collection and archives

Peters said Special Collections and University Archives coordinated the collection of the items from individuals and departments on campus that are involved in memorial activities.

“Everyone was very cooperative, provided assistance, collected donations and suggested further contacts,” Peters said.

Peters and library technician Scott Jackson have been working to keep the memories alive through these items for generations to come.

“It’s been 10 years,” Jackson said. “One of the things family members wanted was their pictures to be published more. Not so that we don’t forget them, but so that future generations will know who we’re doing this for.

“The archive wouldn’t be possible and wouldn’t continue to grow without the support not only from the families of those who were killed in the plane crash, but the entire Oklahoma State family and the OSU Athletic Department,” Jackson said. “The university is very appreciative of all who have donated items to this most meaningful collection.”

Although there is not enough room to display all of the archives (27 boxes of posters, teddy bears, flowers, articles and hundreds of pictures), a display of articles, photos and notes from the tragedy is available to view beginning today on the second floor of the library.

On Jan. 26 – 27 the library will display the portraits of the 10 who were killed, the same ones used for both the Gallagher-Iba and Colorado memorials. A donated memorial wreath and the published O’Colly from the day following the crash will also be on display.