“Positive” and “energetic” were the words on guests’ lips at the memorial service honoring Masoud Bahramisharif, the 24-year old graduate student killed in a hit-and-run accident on June 1.
The memorial service, held at the International House (I-house) from 1-2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, was attended by about 100 people, ranging from friends and family to major news stations. According to Gary Brower, University Chaplain, who gave opening and closing remarks, the purpose of the ceremony was “not just to mourn, though mourn we must; but to remember, affirm and celebrate a life.”
Speakers included Brower, Gloriz Vazirabadi, president of the International Student Association, Dr. Mohammad Mahoor, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and Bahramisharif’s advisor, Ibrahim Kazerooni, Imam (cleric) for the Denver Muslim community, and included songs, poems and eulogies from friends of Bahramisharif.
The ceremony also included a slideshow with pictures of Bahramisharif, set to Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” and a reading of the Holy Quran.
Thoughts shared in the memorial ranged from humorous anecdotes of Bahramisharif’s “bubbly personality,” “capturing smile,” and love of milk and basketball, to existential questions of “why?,” “what does this say about our society?” and “where do we go from here?.”
Mahoor, who went to the hospital to stay with Bahramisharif’s family and classmates the night of the accident, described the close bond an advisor has with his students.
“When a faculty member recruits a grad student, they are more than just a student. There is a friendship and bond that will stay forever. Masoud was a wonderful friend, and now I’ve lost him, ” said Mahoor.
Mahoor has been working with Bahramisharif’s family and friends to send his remains back to Iran, as well as working with Mike Keables, interim dean of the school of engineering and computer science, to set up a memorial scholarship fund in BahramIsharif’s memory, which will begin awarding scholarships as soon as there are sufficient funds to do so.
DU will match the funds if at least $25,000 is collected, with the opportunity for employers to match gifts as well, according to Arash Hajjam, friend of Bahramisharif and Ph.D Candidate of Electrical Engineering at DU.
Vazirabadi had two messages in her speech, both for her fellow students.
“We all do it – when we get behind the wheel, we text, we speed, drink and drive,” said Vazirabadi. “When you sit in the car, the focus should be the road. Your actions have consequences for other people.”
Vaziarabadi said her “faith had been shaken” by the event, and that “something good must come out of this or it won’t make sense.”
“At the time of graduation, I think this serves as a reminder that no matter how great your job is, how many degrees you get or what great graduate school you got into, it doesn’t matter,” said Vazirabadi. “Take time to show love to every person, because you don’t know when you’ll get the chance to do it.”
Kazerooni commented Bahramisharif was “outgoing and charismatic,” and he lived in a way that “strangers felt the vacuum of his absence.” However, Kazerooni’s message was ultimately a call to action.
“Imagine visiting your son, after six, seven or eight months without seeing him – only to know that two days later, his coffin will be sent to you in Iran,” said Kazerooni. “None of these sermons will bring back Masoud. But what can we do as individuals to leave our mark on our society and prevent this from happening?”
Attendees were invited to sign a Denver basketball jersey donated by DU Athletics that will be sent back to Bahramisharif family.
Those interested in donating to the Masoud Bahramisharif Scholarship Fund should visitwww.du.edu/ascend/give-now.html, and employers interested in gift matching should visit www.matchinggifts.com/du/. Donations should include a reference to the Masoud Bahramisharif Scholarship Fund, either on the box on the website for online donations or in the memo field on a check.
