WS Chronicle

By Tevin Stinson

The Chronicle

As evident by the kind words and hundreds who attended a memorial service last week, Anthony White Jr. touched the lives of many on the campus of Winston-Salem State University.

White, was fatally shot in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 1, near a campus dormitory just a few hours after homecoming festivities came to a close. Jarrett Jerome Moore has been arrested in the slaying.

Political science professor Dr. Larry Little said he was emotionally unsettled by the news of White’s death.

“I have never experienced such emotional highs and lows than what occurred during homecoming,” he said. “I was so happy to see my former students, then I got that call on Sunday saying Anthony had been killed and I was messed up.”

According to Little, White was a student in his civil rights class and he was always one of the most prepared students.

“I really enjoyed having Anthony in my class,” he continued. “They say you don’t question God but I do, because he should be here today, but as the older people say, we’ll understand it by and by.”

During the ceremony a number of students recalled White as a person who was happy and always had words of encouragement for those in need.

Anthony was the type of person who would give his last to make sure his friends and family had what they needed.

“I spent I lot of time with Anthony and we talked about a lot of things,’’ said a former roommate of White. “He was always happy, if he wasn’t laughing or joking he was giving me or someone else encouraging words of advice.”

Chancellor Elwood L. Robinson said receiving news of White’s death was one of the most difficult moments he has experienced in a long time.

“I haven’t experienced this type of pain in a long, long time,” said Robinson. “I don’t think I’ve felt this type of pain since my father died.”

As he held back tears, Robinson  encouraged students to stay together, not just in times of mourning but in times of happiness as well.

“These are the moments when your humanity comes out,” he continued. “Anthony’s message is to each one of us, and that message is life is a gift, and what we do with our gift is totally up to us.”

He didn’t know White personally but, by speaking to students and professors, Robinson said he knows White was a determined individual who was proud to be a part of the WSSU family.

Following of the ceremony, a number students said White will forever be in their hearts,  and they will take his memory with them when they walk across the stage to get their degree.