The campus community was rocked with another tragedy last Wednesday with the news of active student leader Michael Maybroda?s death.Maybroda, a communication studies major set to graduate this May, died in a one-car accident in East Bradford Township.
He was a resident of Coatesville, and was involved in a multitude of on-campus activities, including the Friars? Society, WCU-TV Club, Man Up! and WCUR. He was also a former Resident Assistant and served as President of the Homecoming Committee. His passing has had an impact on a significant number of West Chester students because of his extensive involvement.
In an effort to ease the pain and to reflect on Maybroda?s life and the good times his friends shared with him, approximately 120 students gathered in the Sykes Ballrooms Wednesday night to talk about his life. In talking to others about Maybroda over the past week, there are a few words that come up to describe him over and over again.
“Friendly” may be the word at the top of that list, along with “big-hearted,” “open,” “generous” and “funny.”
His brothers in the Friars? Society remember his dedication to service and, as student David Sears said, “the times he stepped up when I, and others, needed him most.” Mike was the Public Relations chair of the group during his first semester in the organization after being inducted in Spring 2003, and held several other chair positions through the years. Recently, his service has included ushering at Phillips Hall, helping students move into the Village, volunteering at a triathlon, and working on the Friars? fundraising dinners.
The Friars, as well as those who worked with him at the University TV station and his former Resident Director, also spoke about his creativity and innovation.
Ray Smith, vice president of the Friars? Society, said that “Mike was always encouraging us to ?think outside of the box;? he always had a new idea to try out.”
Aubrey Hays, a close friend and an Information Technology Technician who worked with Mike at the studio added that “He invented new ways to do things to make certain jobs easier – he was a true innovator, and was a pleasure to work with.”
Shelley Ridgway, who used to be the Resident Director of Goshen Hall, where Mike lived as a freshman and served as an R.A. during the 2002-2003 academic year, said that “for the first floor meeting of the year, Mike had [his residents] cram into his room and told them this was the most uncomfortable they would ever be and that they should get to know each other. That is just one example of the impact, creativity and difference Mike made.”
The stories went on and on, as friends recalled Mike?s bright and ever-present smile and his desire and ability to make anyone laugh, as Ray Smith said, “even if it meant making a fool out of himself.”
Adrienne Montony, “someone who was lucky enough to call him a best friend,” said that “It was a personal victory for him to make someone laugh to the point of tears. He always made you feel special and important. Mike brought out the best in people.”
Maybroda?s community involvement and impact went beyond the campus. He spent time as a kid?s soccer referee, and was a bouncer at Kildare?s for a few months. He also spent a semester working full-time as an intern with the MTV show, “Viva la Bam.” Most recently, he worked nights at a pizza place in Downingtown at the United Sports Training Center.
Maybroda?s personality and dedication shone in the classroom, as well. Communication Studies professor Dr. Jack Orr said that he “made a qualitative difference in every class he attended. He was so often the social and emotional leader of the class.” Dr. Lordan, another of Maybroda?s professors said. “What made Mike different from a lot of students is that he was willing to do the background work necessary to make a project successful. There are plenty of students who volunteer and want to be out front on a project, but a precious few who will do all of the legwork that?s necessary to really make something work. Mike was one of those few [and would] consistently go the extra mile.”
Members from the Student Affairs Division and Counseling Center are available to help students during this difficult time, and students are encouraged to seek out this help as well as to seek one another out for support.
It is clear from the outpouring of grief that Maybroda will be sorely missed. As his friend Robby Essaf said, “This is not only a huge loss to his friends and school, but to society as a whole.