Remembering Zach

On February 9, Zachary Swirczynski, a sophomore from Muenster, Texas, collapsed while playing a game of pick-up basketball with his football teammates at the Williams Intramural Complex. After being rushed by ambulance to Wilson N. Jones Hospital, Zachary was eventually pronounced dead. The cause is currently unknown and will be investigated by a medical examiner over the coming weeks.

Head Football Coach Ronnie Gage described Zachary as well-liked and always in a good mood, and regarded by fellow players as a wonderful teammate who was a strong competitor with a passion for life.

Please share your memories!

Professor Emeritus of Religion Roy Melugin

Professor Emeritus of Religion Roy Melugin was scheduled to visit Austin College later this month, to present a lecture and to have the opportunity to visit with old friends. Sadly, his illness progressed more quickly than anticipated and he died April 9 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Austin College community lost a dear friend. Even those who didn’t know him well will remember his ready smile, warm spirit, and passion for his work.

Interviewed for Austin College’s magazine in 1987, Dr. Melugin said, “I hope the way I teach religion gives students a sense that it has to do with life and that I would be the kind of caring, understanding person that I teach about.”

His students, colleagues, and friends will attest that his teaching — and his life — were testament to that hope fulfilled.

— Vickie Kirby, Austin College Sr. Director of Editorial Communication

Professor Emeritus Martin Fuller

Those who knew, worked with, and learned from Martin Fuller feel a loss at news of his death. Through this blog, perhaps alumni, faculty, and friends can share their thoughts and remembrances. It is fitting to begin with words from Martin himself. Several years ago Martin Fuller gave a presentation in a program Austin College had called the Last Lecture Series, what perhaps the individual might say in a final lecture, though the presentation might have come in the midst of the professor’s career. In that lecture, he read something he had written in his journal: “It is so important really to be aware of places, people, animals, plants, rocks, each detail of our surroundings at each moment. Yet how often and how much we take it all for granted. We will never see all of the world, never experience all its wonders. Therefore how very necessary to see and to experience the wonders into whose presence we are fortunate enough to come.” He went on to say, “If we do, if we cultivate that intimacy with the natural order of things, we may come to look upon death not as an enemy to be feared or conquered, but as part of the natural order of our lives, as the natural end to a natural being. Death is but the final affirmation of life.”

A life well lived … A being of nature that shall be missed.

— Vickie Kirby, Austin College Sr. Director of Editorial Communication