Purdue’s Golden Taps Ceremony Honors Memory of Purdue Veterinary Student Aaron Lewis

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Arnetta and Patrick Lewis, with their daughter Jada, met Purdue President Mung Chiang and First Lady Kei Hui during the annual Golden Taps program Aprill 22, when veterinary student Aaron Lewis and 12 other Purdue students who passed away in the past year were remembered.

A longstanding Purdue tradition called the Golden Taps Ceremony that is held each April in honor of Purdue students who have passed away in the past year had special meaning for faculty, staff and students in the College of Veterinary Medicine this year. That’s because one of the 13 students remembered during the program April 22 was veterinary student Aaron Lewis, of Marietta, Georgia, a member of the DVM Class of 2025, who passed away in June of 2023.

After gathering in the Purdue Memorial Union, attendees processed to Academy Park for the official Golden Taps ceremony that took place in front of the Unfinished Block P sculpture, where the sounds of drums, singing and the playing of Echo Taps engendered remembrance and reflection.

Aaron’s family members were supported at the Golden Taps ceremony by veterinary students, friends and College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff members.

The Golden Taps program began in the South Ballroom of the Purdue Memorial Union, where family, friends, loved ones and fellow students gathered for remembrance and reflection. Aaron’s parents traveled from Georgia to be present for the ceremony, where they were met by a dozen students, staff and faculty from the College of Veterinary Medicine who came to support them and join in the remembrance.

As the program began, Purdue President Mung Chiang and First Lady Kei Hui stepped in front of the podium to be in a position to personally express their sympathy to each of the grieving families, and to present them with a certificate and a bronze replica of Purdue’s Unfinished Block P sculpture. When Aaron’s name was called, his parents, Patrick and Arnetta, and sister Jada, stepped forward and were greeted by the president and first lady, who handed them the sculpture replica and the certificate, which read, “Purdue University honors the life of Aaron Lewis.”

Following the program in the Union, the attendees processed to the Unfinished Block P sculpture in nearby Academy Park, to reflect on the unfinished Purdue experience of the students whose lives were lost. With the sculpture as a backdrop, the Golden Taps ceremony began with the approaching sound of drums. After the drummers and two trumpeters arrived in front of the sculpture, the name of each honoree was announced, followed by the ringing of a bell. Once all of the student names were read, the trumpeters played Echo Taps, which was followed by three choral selections sung by the Black Voices of Inspiration and the Purduettes. At the conclusion of the ceremony the families and guests returned to the Union to fellowship and share stories over light refreshments.

Aaron’s sister Jada and parents Patrick and Arnetta display the certificate and Unfinished Block P sculpture replica they received in memory of Aaron Lewis, who was a member of the Purdue DVM Class of 2025. Aaron’s other sister, Nicollette, was unable to attend due to another obligation.

Golden Taps is a Purdue tradition that dates back to 1994 and involves a collaboration of the Office of the Dean of Students, and several student organizations, including the Reamer Club, Gimlet Leadership Honorary, Purdue Student Union Board, Purdue Student Government and Purdue Graduate Student Government.

After the event, the family of Aaron Lewis shared a personal message of deep appreciation for the support of Aaron’s fellow students, and the college’s staff and faculty.

“It is with sincere hearts that our family expresses tremendous appreciation for the love and support that Purdue University, and the College of Veterinary Medicine faculty, staff and veterinary students have shown our beloved Aaron Lewis during this emotional time. We will forever be grateful and sincerely honored for the effort you have put forth as we remember him and share the pride we feel for his hard work and dedication to his passion for veterinary medicine.

As we continue to reflect on his life, you will always be a SPECIAL part of that reflection.

Forever grateful and with LOVE,
The Lewis Family – Patrick and Arnetta, and sisters Nicolette and Jada

The feeling that the family expressed is mutual, as the members of the Purdue Veterinary Medicine community deeply valued their connection with Aaron and his family – a relationship that will always be treasured.