by Autumn Laws
Over winter break Stan Smith, Associate Professor of Music and local musician, lost his Columbus apartment to an accidental fire.
Smith was not left to suffer alone. Friends from Columbus organized benefit concerts and performances to help raise money for the displaced musical pal. Smith recounted how at the performances mere acquaintances and even strangers would give him money to help him in any way possible. A friend of Smith’s even opened a PayPal account for those to donate if they were unable to attend the other events. The Columbus Local Musician’s Union also sent Smith a donation.
Despite the fire destroying Smith’s home over winter break, help from the Capital community was not hard to come by. Shortly after hearing of Smith’s destructive fire, Capital University Provost, Richard Ashbrook, sent Smith an email expressing concern and offering help. The Capital music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha, offered Smith help relocating and refurnishing his new home. Other Capital students who knew Smith have also expressed their condolences. There were also faculty members who gave Smith private donations to help ease the transition.
Since the fire, Smith has found another apartment under the same landlord. One of the great lessons to be taken from Smith’s loss is the appreciation to be gained for academia.
“It encourages divergences of thoughts and opinions within a community,” Smith said. “When push comes to shove we are here for each other.”
Even though he may have colleagues whom he disagrees with, his peers are still able to come together to work for a common cause.
While Smith is thankful for the support he has experienced since returning to Capital, he didn’t see the fire as a big deal. It may have caused a kink in the knotted up string of life, but Smith is already moving forward. Smith does not want to let the events discourage him or slow him down.
It’s important to remember that as we live, we will be faced with these kinds of tragedies all the time. We need to remember not to let the quandaries of the big, bad, mean world keep us from swallowing life the way it should be digested: one day at a time.
“The quality of each breath is more important than knowing the prediction of the future,” Smith said.
alaws@capital.edu
