Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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BY MeussaGaijtz ID, ivots in the floor provided a constant reminder of the day bullets showered the peaceful halls of Conception Abbey. At 8:40 a.m. on June 10, Lloyd Jeffress, of Kearney, Mo., opened fire on the monks of Conception Abbey, in Conception, Mo. Before the gunman turned the gun on himself, the Rev. Kenneth Reichert and the Rev. Norbert Schappler were injured. Brother Damian Larson and the Rev. Philip Schuster were killed. I was in my office when 1 heard the first shot go, Abbot Gregory Polan said. I honestly thought that a window had fallen out and crashed. Unknown to Abbot Gregory, the quiet abbey was transformed by a national news event. According to Conception Abbey Director of Communications Dan Madden, the following events unfurled that day: Jeffress walked into Conception Abbey carrying two boxes containing a .22- caliber Ruger and a MAK-90 rifle. The first shots pierced the hallways of the monastery when Jeffress walked to the end of the glass hallway and found the first of his victims. Brother Damian was the first of four shot and the first of two slain. Leaving Brother Damian behind, Jeffress continued down the hallway. After hearing shots, curiosity led Father Kenneth, who was posting information in the coffee room, and Father Norbert, who wa.s cleaning in the annex after breakfast, directly to the gunman. Another three shots echoed throughout the halls of the abbey. The first bullet struck Father Norbert ' s sciatic nerve to the left of his groin. Over the next hour, he would lose a liter of blood. The next two bullets struck Father Kenneth in his side and shin, meanwhile shattering his finger. Part of my insides were falling out, Father Kenneth said. 1 never looked, but 1 kept my hand down there. Leaving a trail of blood. Father Norbert drug himself 30 feet to a phone. After attempting to reach the business office and infirmary on campus to warn others, he dialed 911 for rescue. The Rev. Patrick Caveglia was the first to encounter the body of Brother Damian. After pausing to make the sign of the cross over him, Father Patrick proceeded through the abbey and found other injured monks. Jeffress had continued his rampage, attempting to gain access to an office with two monks inside. After finding the door locked, he continued walking down the hallway where he shot and killed Father Philip with two more bullets. The shooting spree came to an end in the Basilica of Conception Abbey where Jeffress shot and killed himself, leaving his body slumped over in a back pew. Within the first hour of the shtxitings, more than 80 policeman responded to the scene. Reporters, photographers and videographers descended upon the area; news of the shootings would receive national coverage. Press conferences were held throughout the day while officers assessed the morning events. • Continued page 24 221 Ffaturfs Pa t of MY NSDES WERE 1 FALirNG 1 OUT. NEVER 1 LOOKED, 1 BUT PU 1 MY HAND ' DOWN -!:RF. 55 :THE Rev. Kenneth Reichert ■ - •

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Family Day Honoring bonds with i n families One Saturday offers Students an opportunity to slxire college life with those closest to them. N orthwest families and friends descended upiin campus to spend time with students, enjoy iooA and watch Bearcat ftxtthall. Family Day festivities hegan at the Alumni House with a tailgate party before the Bearcats played the Misstnin-Rolla Miners. Petiple loaded plates with chips, cookies, vegetables and barbecue sauce-drenched hamburgers while friendly chatter supplemented the background music. Tailgaters snacked while listening to vocal and instrumental performances by alumni Maria Newquist and Stiren Wohlers. I love coming back here, Newquist said. Lots of my friends and family are here. University Prov4 st Taylor Barnes, Campus Dining Director Barry Beacom, President i f the National Alumni .Association Bixird of Directors John McCune and Alumni Relations Director Michael Johnson presented the Family of the Year Award to the Hamilions. Barbara and Mark graduated from Northwest before moving to Winfield, Iowa. It ' s always neat to come back home and participate in these festivities and see what the school has going on, Mark said. fci V K t - R i A ' 1 i L i A M -, Their three daughters Katie, Natalie and Megan attended Northwest. According to Katie, the girls submitted the application to show how much they appreciated their parents ' hard work. I didn ' t think we ' d win really, Katie said. Wc just submitted it as a good thing to do for our parents. After the award presentation, the Hamiltons joined hundreds of other families and students at Rickenbrixle Stadium to cheer for the Bearcats. Greeting fans with smiles, Bearcat Sweethearts sold buttons with player ' s photos and football shaped Mardi Gras heads before kick off. People of all ages filled the stadium as parents found seats next to students. It was coi l to take them to a fot)tball game and show them what college life is like, said Jennifer Winkler. After the game many families took the opportunity to spend time together. My brt ther went out to the bars, but 1 stayed home and watched movies with my parents, Daniel Mack said. After a day of activities, families packed their cars, leaving with a better of undentanding of life at Northwest. Norlltweil •lumnut Sorrn Wohlcri perfomu tor the crtnvd n th r Aiuinni Mouse f-iinily Djv tjilgitm KJthcrcd it the Alumni Mouse kir i prrgallx- Kirhevue and cntenainmeni i IT WAS COOL TO TAK E THEM TO A FOOTBALL GAME AND SHOW THEM WHAT COLLEGE LIFE IS LIKE. 55 :JENNIFEM WINKLER Family Day :21

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