Remains of all Lynn students, professors missing in Haiti recovered
By Dale M. King
BOCA RATON – The remains of four Lynn University students and two professors, all part of a humanitarian mission to Haiti, have been recovered, according to school officials and the U.S. Department of State.
The fourth student, Britney Gengel, a sophomore from Rutland, Mass., was located last week, as was the body of Dr. Richard Bruno, an assistant professor in Lynn’s College of Liberal Education. He joined the university four years ago.
Fourteen members of the Lynn community were in Haiti on a “Journey of Hope” service trip when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the island on Jan. 12. Eight members of that group were evacuated from the country and returned to campus Jan. 14, officials said. A search for the missing was initiated by the U.S. government and by the university.
“While at Lynn, Britney triumphed academically and socially and was a true inspiration to the Lynn community and the community at large,” said Lynn President Kevin Ross. “She was a beautiful young woman who gave her life serving others. We will miss her terribly. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cherylann, Len, Bernie and the rest of the Gengel family, as well as Britney’s friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Cynthia Patterson, Lynn University’s vice president for academic affairs, commented on the passing of Dr. Bruno.
“With compassion, care and a deep commitment to helping others, Dr. Bruno became one of Lynn’s most respected and effective professors. Able to impart his love of learning to his students, Dr. Bruno challenged each and every student to discover their potential and pursue their goals and personal aspirations.”
“Beyond his considerable contributions to students’ academic achievements, Dr. Bruno’s greatest contributions to the Lynn community lie in his leadership as an advocate for human dignity, social justice and international cooperation. We will miss him terribly.”
Len and Cherylann Gengel, Britney’s parents, thanked U.S. Sen. John Kerry and his aide Drew O’Brien. U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern and his aide Chris Phillbin, U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and his aide Steven Schrage, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her Chief of Staff, Cheryl Mills, for their assistance.
“Our daughter Britney signed up for a 3-week course at Lynn University called Journey of Hope,” her parents said in a statement issued through the university.
“We sat with her before she left and talked about this trip being a life-changing event. We never knew that this trip would change our lives and hers forever. We want to thank Lynn University for all their efforts during such an incredibly difficult time.”
“We are grateful to everyone at Lynn University who went out of their way to make us feel loved,” they added. “We are thankful to our community that has shown support with kind words, prayers and yellow ribbons for our Britney’s return home.”
“We have our faith, hope and love. Faith in God, hope that someday we will be with Britney for an eternity in heaven and love of family, friends, community and country.”
Also recovered in the past weeks were the bodies of Courtney Hayes, 23, of Douglas, Ga.; Stephanie Crispinelli, 19, of Katonah, N.Y.; Christine Gianacaci, 22, of Hopewell, N.J. and Patrick Hartwick, 53, dean of the Ross College of Education.
An on-campus ceremony celebrating the lives and accomplishments of all of the Journey of Hope participants will be held in the future. No date has been set.
