The families of two Taylor University students whose identities were mistaken spoke to a national audience as a campus remembered the five victims of a fatal accident.

The parents of Laura Van Ryn sat vigil at the bedside of their daughter for five weeks before learning that the woman in the hospital bed was actually her classmate, Whitney Cerak. Van Ryn was one of five people who died on April 26, 2006 when a semi-trailer crossed the median and struck a Taylor University van on Interstate 69.

Officials say a nearly-completed memorial on campus will keep front and center the memory of the victims of the crash, with a plaque surrounded by five other plaques. It will also include the names of fallen faculty and students over 160 years, offering a place for prayer and meditation.

"This building really is in the center of campus and that's done purposely," said Dr. Ben Sells.
People on campus also said they planned to watch the Cerak and Van Ryn families speak during a two-hour episode of "Dateline NBC" Friday night.

"Yes, we will be watching," said Jim Gerringer. "We looked forward to it with a bittersweet sense."

The Dateline episode gave the inside story as the two families dealt with the crash, then the realization that their daughters' identities were switched. A friend of the van's driver, who survived the crash, said he was going to be listening closely to the words the families spoke on the show.

"Their trust and their faith in God and how he has brought all the families through this tragedy," said Mike Fisher. "That's the only way we can get through it."

While Dr. Sells joins the Upland community in remembering the victims, he can only imagine what the families have gone through.

"We don't know the loss like family knows the loss," he said.

"I have never seen them angry or bitter," Gerringer said. "They have continued to search for God's will in this matter. It's challenged me and been a very humbling thing."

The students and families will get to share their impressions in person when they come to Taylor to dedicate the memorial chapel.

Source: wthr

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