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Ole Miss Fire Raises Concerns About Fire Safety At Fraternity Houses ^New
August 31, 2004 - WAFF

Members from the Alpha Tau Omega chapter at UNA take a quick break from classes. Not far from their minds are the three University of Mississippi students who died when their fraternity house went up in flames.

"I was shocked...of course...It's three of our brothers," said Michael Flannery.

"My initial thought was that could have been any three of our guys," said Brett Trapp. ...

USM works to install sprinklers in dorms
August 31, 2004 - Hattiesburg-American

Most fraternity houses and dormitories at the University of Southern Mississippi don't have sprinkler systems.

But all of the residence halls and fraternity houses have fire alarms and extinguishers and university officials make periodic sweeps through student housing to make sure fire hazards are minimized. The university is also installing sprinkler systems at a rate of about one a year in residence halls and fraternity houses on the campus.

... The inspections are part of an effort to help prevent fires such as the one that swept through a University of Mississippi Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house early Friday claiming three lives. The cause of the blaze hasn't been determined, but news reports indicate the residence had no sprinkler system. ...

MSU keeps fire safety at focal point
August 31, 2004 - Murray Ledger & Times

In the wake of Friday's fire at the University of Mississippi that killed three members of the school's Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, Murray State University officials went into action with that exact mindset. Monday, new guidelines were issued regarding off-campus housing for the seven fraternities and sorority-owned facilities under the MSU banner.

... Among those happy to see such a provision is Tony Page, a member of the Murray's ATO chapter's board of trustees and a former member of the fraternity's housing corporation. "It certainly does make you think about things like this, when something like this happens. That's a real slap in the face right there," said Page, who notes that the Murray ATO house does hold some advantages. ...

Local girl mourns Ole Miss victim
August 31, 2004 - Hattiesburg-American

Lauren Bevis of Hattiesburg is mourning the death of William Townsend, 19, of Clarksdale, one of three students killed Friday when fire destroyed the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house at the University of Mississippi. Townsend was a counselor in the Summer Accelerated Studies program which Bevis attended in June.

"He had the greatest sense of humor and personality," Bevis said. "It was just wonderful. If you had a bad moment, he would always try to cheer you up." ...

Communities say goodbye to a hero
August 31, 2004 - Daily Mississippian

Each person touched by sophomore Will Townsend packed into the First United Methodist Church of Clarksdale Monday afternoon to remember their hometown hero.

University of Mississippi students, community members and fellow Alpha Tau Omega brothers united in the celebration of Townsend's life. ...

"Will did not become a hero; Will was a hero," Langford said...

Langford said the close-knit, constant devotion of Townsend's family, his place in the brotherhood of ATO and his personal faith in God made him the hero he was long before his death. ...

Student killed in Ole Miss fire remembered at funeral
August 30, 2004 - Associated Press

Family and friends of Will Townsend gathered Monday to pay their final respects to the 19-year-old University of Mississippi sophomore who died in a fraternity house fire.

Townsend was one of three students killed in Friday's fire at the Alpha Tau Omega house. Authorities said the deaths were caused by smoke inhalation. ...

Fire safety a priority in the wake of Ole Miss frat house fire
August 30, 2004 - Associated Press

As investigators search for the cause of a fatal fire at the University of Mississippi, some other fraternities on the Oxford campus are taking steps to prevent a similar tragedy. "There's definitely changes that are going to come," said Stephen Morse, who lives at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house.

Morse, 21, of Roanoke, Va., on Monday said he wasn't sure when his fraternity house would implement changes as it had only been a few days since the fire. Morse said his house mates already use surge protectors and limit candle use.

"I think it was like a freak accident," Morse said of the fire. "I'm not saying we're not worrying about it." ...

Nation, city, campus rally behind Alpha Tau Omega men
August 30, 2004 - Daily Mississippian

"The ATOs are taken care of as far as their physical needs," said Dean of Students Sparky Reardon Saturday afternoon, less than 48 hours after their fire destroyed their home and many of their belongings.

The response from groups as specific as other fraternities, to the university administration, to the Ole Miss and Oxford community and to the national Alpha Tau Omega chapter was caring, supportive and instantaneous. All involved showed a "bond as strong as right itself and as lasting as humanity," qualities outlined in the ATO creed. ...

Victims leave impact in short lives
August 30, 2004 - Daily Mississippian

Last Christmas, Will Townsend, 19, dressed as Santa Claus while he carolled with fellow Alpha Tau Omega pledges at Ole Miss sorority houses.

Professor Chuck Smith remembers Howard Stone, 19, as a serious student with one of the highest grades he's ever seen in his 22 semesters of teaching Political Science 101.

Jordan Williams, 20, had a sly sense of humor, making under-the-breath comments during lunch at the house that not everyone caught, ATO member and 2004 Ole Miss graduate Tim Conkin said.

People who knew these students are savoring their memories after Friday morning's tragic fire cut short the lives of the young men. ...

Bound as brothers
August 30, 2004 - Daily Mississippian

Fire scene investigations at the Alpha Tau Omega house ended over the weekend as the community prepares to say goodbye to three of its members.

Federal, State and local agencies have wrapped up their on site look into the cause of the fraternity house fire that killed three Ole Miss students early Friday morning. All the while, memorials were being planned. ...

ASB cabinet discusses fire safety, upcoming elections
August 30, 2004 - Daily Mississippian

An idea for a fire safety commission was the topic of note at Sunday's Associated Student Body Cabinet meeting.

The Cabinet also decided that despite Friday's fatal fire at the Alpha Tau Omega house, it could not change its schedule for Homecoming elections. ...

Soccer games offer some escape for players, fans
August 30, 2004 - Daily Mississippian

Aug. 27 is a day that will be remembered within the Ole Miss community as the day of the fire that destroyed the Alpha Tau Omega house and killed three Ole Miss students. Yet it was also the day of the 2004 season opener for the Ole Miss soccer team. And for players and soccer fans that meant that for a brief time they could focus on something other than tragedy... ...

Ole Miss sets public service for students
August 30, 2004 - Times Dispatch

On her 16th birthday, Ann Christopher Peacock's godbrother surprised her by blowing up balloons and placing them on her car. Peacock and Will Townsend grew up together in Clarksdale and were only four months apart by birth. Their parents were friends before they were born.

That wasn't so long ago. Today, Peacock, a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Mississippi, will attend Townsend's funeral. ...

Mississippi fraternity fire sparks local action
August 30, 2004 - Centre Daily

In response to a fatal fire at a University of Mississippi fraternity house, local firefighters and code inspectors canvassed fraternity neighborhoods in State College to spread the word about fire safety.

By handing out fire prevention materials and self-inspection checklists, officials hope to avoid a tragedy like the one at the Alpha Tau Omega house Friday. ...

Martinsville mourns Ole Miss fire victim
August 30, 2004 - Times Dispatch

A memorial service was held yesterday in Martinsville for Howard Stone, one of three University of Mississippi sophomores who were killed in a fraternity house fire Friday.

... Howard Stone was a three-year starting defender on three Region IV championship varsity soccer teams and was a reserve on the basketball team.

"He was just a super kid, just a stellar kid," said high school Principal Tom Fitzgibbons. ...

School Plans Memorial Service for Victims
August 29, 2004 - AP

The University of Mississippi plans a memorial service Thursday to honor the three victims of Friday morning's fire at the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity house, as well as seven other students who have died since May. ...

Stone Memorial Service Held in Virginia
August 29, 2004 - WLBT 3

A memorial service was held Sunday, in Martinsville, Virginia for Howard Stone. Stone was one of three students killed Friday morning in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house fire on the Ole Miss Campus. ...

Investigation wraps up at Ole Miss fire; mourning begins
August 29, 2004 - Sun Herald

Jim Townsend says many Alpha Tau Omega fraternity members have thanked him for his son having saved lives during Friday's fire that gutted the ATO house on the campus of the University of Mississippi.

William "Will" Townsend was one of three fraternity members who died in the fire. Funeral services for Townsend will be Monday at First United Methodist Church in Clarksdale.

Fraternity members have praised the 19-year-old for waking up students and getting them out. He reported died when he went back in looking for two others. ...

Funeral set for Atlanta student killed in fraternity fire
August 29, 2004 - Associated Press

The funeral for Williams is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta. A viewing is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at H.M. Patterson & Son funeral home. ...

"He seemed to me, at least, a kind of quiet person," said Bill Dunkel, the high school principal. "He didn't promote himself in any ostentatious way. He was just a really nice young man. He was a quiet contributor to the school. We're all terribly saddened by this. This is such a terrible tragedy."...

UM frat member recalls heroism
August 29, 2004 - Clarksdale Press Register

Tyler Bier didn't think the early Friday morning fire at his fraternity house on the University of Mississippi campus was too serious, even after he grew faint fighting through clouds of thick, white smoke to rouse some of his brothers and get outside.

Not until he saw the flames hit the roof line of the Alpha Tau Omega house and quickly spread did he realize the severity.

"I heard Will screaming 'Fire, fire' inside the house," Bier said. "He was able to wake up (Ruth) Miller, the house mother. Will is the hero. And that doesn't surprise me at all, because that was Will's personality. That act was typical of Will."...

Ole Miss Fire Scene Completed
August 29, 2004 - PR Newswire

Federal, state and local investigators announced Saturday the completion of the on-scene investigation of the fire that occurred Friday morning at the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity House at the University of Mississippi.

There is no evidence at this time that the fire was intentionally set, officials said, and no indication of foul play. Due to possible multiple sources of ignition at the point of origin, investigators have taken samples for laboratory examination. The investigation is continuing...

Shock And Sadness Among Students At Ole Miss
August 28, 2004 - WLOX-TV

Flowers fill the yard surrounding what's left of Alpha Tau Omega's house, a tangible symbol of grief for those lost in Friday's fire.

Witnesses say when fire broke out at 4:30 in the morning, Townsend made it outside. "He went back in because a good friend of his was in there, that would be one of the things that will would do because he's such a good guy," says Ole Miss student Heather Burchfield. ...

But it will take more time to heal the loss of brothers. "It's been hard still hasn't sunk in we keep thinking we're going to see them walk through the door any time now," says ATO President Tyler Biel ...

Tragedy at Ole Miss
August 28, 2004 - The Clarion-Ledger

Will Townsend awoke Friday to the smell of smoke filling the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house at the University of Mississippi. The 19-year-old student from Clarksdale quickly roused his fraternity brothers and the house mother from their slumber and got them outside.

After a head count, he saw two friends, Jordan Williams, 20, of Atlanta and Howard Stone, 19, of Martinsville, Va., were still inside and rushed back in to save them. But he never made it out of the house, nor did his friends. All three died in the blaze.

Ed Peacock III shared the story Friday of his godson's heroic acts as passed on to the family by university officials. "He would do anything for anybody," said Peacock, Coahoma County chancery clerk. "We were not surprised at all." ...

Fire scene investigation ends, funeral arrangements set
August 28, 2004 - The Daily Mississippian

Late Saturday brought the completion of both the fire scene investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives as well as funeral arrangements for the victims of the Alpha Tau Omega fire at Ole Miss.

Samples from the fraternity house were sent to a laboratory for further investigation due to possible multiple sources of ignition of the fire, a press release by the University of Mississippi Department of Public Relations said. ...

Third body identified in ATO fire
August 28, 2004 - The Daily Mississippian

Authorities have positively identified the third body found in the Alpha Tau Omega house as that of 19-year-old Howard Hillhouse Stone.

Preliminary autopsy reports indicate smoke inhalation as the cause of death for all three victims...

Miss. Students Question Safety After Fire
August 28, 2004 - Associated Press

Students at the University of Mississippi questioned the school's fire safety procedures as investigators returned to a charred fraternity house Saturday to find the cause of a blaze that killed three people.
...
"We going to do everything humanly possible to identify what may have happened here," Mark R. Chait, who heads the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives office in New Orleans, said Saturday ...

Ole Miss fatal fire shocks Alabama ATOs
August 28, 2004 - WKRN

Members of Alpha Tau Omega in Tuscaloosa say they are much more alert now about safety and also mourning the tragic deaths at Ole Miss. Nick Prillaman, the 21-year-old president of Alabama's A-T-O, says the destroyed house at Ole Miss serves as a call to help brothers in need. He says anything they can do for them, obviously, "we're going to do." ...

Campus devastated, Khayat says
August 28, 2004 - Clarion-Ledger

"To have a tragedy of this magnitude, where you have the devastation of a fire and the loss of the students, the trauma, the emotion that is suffered by the members of that organization as well as the community can't be measured," Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat said.

"There was definitely a hero involved in this," said Wynn Smiley, chief executive officer for the national ATO fraternity, based in Indianapolis.

"There is evidence that supports (the fire alarm system) was working because officers heard alarms when they responded," Alford said.

"Our prayers go out to their families and the parents of those that died in the tragedy," Smiley said. "Because they are a fraternity, they have each other that they can lean on." ...

USM fraternity members offer assistance
August 28, 2004 - Hattiesburg American

The azure and gold flag outside the University of Southern Mississippi Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house hung limply at half staff Friday following a fire at a University of Mississippi fraternity chapter house that killed three members.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them," said Southern Miss chapter president Jeremy Walz. "We offered to bring clothes and food up there, and as soon as we know more we will definitely do what we can." ...

University honors fire victims with vigils
August 27, 2004 - The Daily Mississippian

With no empty seats or pews and only some standing room left, fellow fraternity brothers, students and adults came together to remember the three Alpha Tau Omegas who died in the early morning fire at their fraternity house. ...

Campus leaders and ministers lead the prayer service where everyone was joined "in pain, in need and in friendship."...

The group stopped and gathered together as a united body in front of the ATO house, where they had a moment of silence and a prayer for those who could not be there themselves. ...

Three students killed in fraternity house fire at University of Mississippi
August 27, 2004 - SFGate

...Wynn Smiley, Alpha Tau Omega's national CEO, said contractors had been scheduled to meet Friday morning to address deficiencies found during the inspection.

"The things that could have been taken care of had been addressed," Smiley said. "The things that couldn't be taken care of by the guys in the house were being talked about with the general contractor."...

Fraternity fire victims identified
August 27, 2004 - WMC-TV5

...University spokesman Jeff Alford identified two of the victims as Jordan Williams, 20, of Atlanta, and William Townsend, 19, of Clarksdale, both sophomores majoring in accounting.
Alford said the body of the third victim has not been identified. However, Alford said the third missing student from the fire had been identified as Howard Stone, 19, of Martinsville, Virginia, a sophomore political science major. ...

Three Killed In Ole Miss Fraternity Fire
August 27, 2004 - WLOX-TV

...Alford, assistant vice chancellor of student relations, said authorities believed the fire started in the living area. He said there were no injuries. "Two bodies were found in the basement and one body was found in the floor above,'' Alford said. Alford said he did not know which student was found where. He said the university would not speculate on what might have caused the fire. "I think it is certainly accurate to say that by ever appearance it started in the southeast corner of the building. That's about the best judgment we can make,'' Alford said.

Firefighters needed about two hours to bring the blaze under control, chapter adviser Al Bell said. Hours later, smoke billowed out of where the roof had been, and much of the upper floor was in ruins. A fraternity member who was not at the house when the fire occurred said fellow members told him they woke up coughing and found smoke "everywhere.'' "They said they just ran out as fast as they could, to get out of that building as fast as possible,'' said Sean Weidlein, 19, of Middleburg, Va. ...

Three Dead in Miss. Fraternity House Fire
August 27, 2004 - ABC News

...Firefighters needed about two hours to bring the blaze under control, chapter adviser Al Bell said. Hours later, smoke billowed out of where the roof had been, and much of the upper floor was in ruins.
A fraternity member who was not at the house when the fire occurred said fellow members told him they woke up coughing and found smoke "everywhere." ... Among the survivors, "things are pretty rough right now"

Football: Rebels Hold Friday Afternoon Walk-Through
August 27, 2004 - Ole Miss Rebels

The practice was held under a somber atmosphere on the Ole Miss campus after a fire broke out at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house early Friday morning. Three students lost their lives in the blaze.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and to all who were involved in the fire," Cutcliffe said. "We're are all very saddened by what happened here earlier today."

ATF Agents Enter Ole Miss Fire Investigation
August 27, 2004 - PR Newswire

The New Orleans Field Division Response Team (DRT) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) have entered the investigation of a fatal fraternity house fire that occurred on Friday morning, August 27, 2004 at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house in Oxford, Mississippi.

Mark R. Chait, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of ATF in New Orleans, LA, said, "On behalf of the men and women of ATF I want to express my sympathy to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives in the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity house fire this morning. At the request of the University of Mississippi and the Oxford Fire Department, I am mobilizing ATF agents from Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi along with agents from Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee to assist our state and local partners in this important investigation"...

Three Killed In Ole Miss Fraternity Fire
August 27, 2004 - WLOX-13

...The fire broke out around 4:30 this morning. More than 50 firefighters from two departments battled the blaze for about two hours before bringing it under control. The fire heavily damaged the building.

Diggs said Alpha Tau Omega was one of the well-established fraternities at the university, located a block off fraternity row. "The entire student body is pretty upset about this. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Alpha Tau Omega chapter," Gordon Fellows, Associate Student Body president at Ole Miss, told the Oxford Eagle newspaper at the scene. "We wish them all the best and hope everything is OK."...

We lost Three Brothers
August 27, 2004 - TauGear

As news accounts continue to pour in we come to the realization that we've lost three brothers today. Let's all keep our lost brothers, their families and the University of Mississippi Taus in our thoughts and prayers as they work through this difficult time.

L&R, David

Three missing after fraternity house fire in Mississippi
August 27, 2004 - The Sun Herald

...The three students, members of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, were not immediately identified. A school spokesman said there had been 24 students and a house mother in the building, which is located near the university coliseum. There were no immediate word on injuries or the extent of the damage.

Three students missing after fraternity house fire at Ole Miss
August 27, 2004 - WMC-TV5

A fire swept through a fraternity house at the University of Mississippi early Friday, killing three members, school officials said. The blaze at the brick and wood-frame Alpha Tau Omega house broke out before dawn, and firefighters needed about two hours to bring it under control, chapter adviser Al Bell said. Hours later, smoke billowed out of where the roof had been. ...

Daily Dose
August 27, 2004 - The Shorthorn Online

After a few adjustments to this year’s Greek events, officials say students should come out with a better understanding of the Greek culture. This year, Greek Week on campus will be changed to Greek Days that give prospective members the chance to spend time with different fraternities. ...

“It’s so that prospective members understand boundaries so that none of the Greek organizations can give themselves an unfair advantage,” said Zac Walker, Alpha Tau Omega president and public relations senior.

There are several Greek organizations available on campus and one potential chapter. The Alpha Tau Omega colony hopes to become a new chapter this semester.
...

USC ATO on Survivor
August 20, 2004 - CBS.com

Hunter Ellis was born in Alexandria, Virginia, and spent many years moving around as part of a U.S. Navy family. Growing up both in California and Virginia, Ellis spent several years in Virginia Beach before graduating from high school in Alexandria. Ellis attended the University of Southern California where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity...

Permanent pledge
August 8, 2004 - Lenawee Daily Telegram

On the front of the rock is a plaque with fading letters, but memories are still bright for Clement. Clement, who was in the [Adrian College] Alpha Tau Omega pledge class of 1954, wrote the poem that is on the plaque.

"When bearers of the cross are not brothers to me, then this rock shall cease to be," the plaque reads. Clement noted the cross mentioned is in reference to the Maltese cross, which is a symbol for members of the fraternity...

Heartland United Way announces campaign leadership
August 6, 2004 - Grand Island In dependant

The Heartland United Way has named Bill and Sherry Marshall and Matt and Kristen Maser as its campaign chairmen for the 2004 Heartland United Way campaign... Matt Maser is a partner with the Koley Jensen P. C. Law Firm. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity...