A member of the UB community has replaced a lamp taken from the memorial of a fallen UB athlete, which was stolen Labor Day weekend.
Jim Dickerson, whose daughter Christine, a member of the women's crew team, was killed in a car accident on Dec. 11, 2002, said he noticed a new solar lamp yesterday as he paid his daily visit to the memorial site on the Amherst Bike Path behind Wilkeson Quad.
"When I saw the lamp had been replaced at Chrisy's tree, I had a deep sense of inner peace wash over me," Dickerson said. "It was incredible."
Dickerson said a note from a woman who works in the communication department at UB was attached to the lamp. According to Dickerson, the note said if the lamp disappeared again, there would always be another to replace it.
"The light is like a constant reminder how caring and compassionate people can make a difference," Dickerson said.
Christine's memorial had been dark since the lamp was taken, and would have remained so unless a new light was donated or the original was found - Dickerson said he had no intention of replacing it himself.
"If someone from the community removed it, I was looking for the community to respond," he said.
The UB employee could not be reached for comment, but Dickerson said her note stated she donated the lamp to provide illumination until the original was returned.
"Until the person does the right thing, Chrisy should have a light," the note stated.
