North Carolina Colony Answers the Call

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - More than a month after University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Student Body President Eve Carson's murder, members of the student government and Colony 822 are working to fulfill one of her aspirations for the University.

Life, solidarity, friendship and music was celebrated at the Eve Carson Memorial Benefit Concert Sunday, April 13th. Five bands, many featuring student members, will perform at the event.

"I don't think she would have had it any other way," said Mike Tarrant, former student body vice president. "A community of students, staff and alum all coming together as a Carolina family to celebrate life the way Eve did."

Frater Ron Bilbao, Carson's former executive assistant who initiated the idea after Carson's death, said the concert is the fulfillment of one of Carson's major plans for UNC.

"Eve always talked about having this really great concert in the quad," he said.

Bilbao reached out to his fellow Fraters at Tau Kappa Epsilon, the newest fraternity at UNC, and student government to lend a hand.

Collectively the organizations combined resources to plan an event "the way she always pictured it," according to the event's page on Facebook, where nearly 1,000 students have said they plan to attend.

"Once people started finding out about the event, their enthusiasm spread like a virus," said Ryan Kirkman, one of the founding members and social chairman. "I don't think we talked to anyone that wasn't willing to lend a hand."

Frater Bilbao said the event isn't just for the people that knew Eve but for anyone who embodies her lifestyle.

"This concert is the essence of how she lived," he said.

Adapted from The Daily Tar Heel News Article. If you would like to see your chapter news here, contact Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.