There is a banner hanging across Cori Miller’s door on the seventh floor of the Kardon Building brimming with messages of concern and praise.
Notes like “Cori, Get well soon! We need you back here. I miss you!”and “You help brighten up my day all the time”filled the large sign that adorns her door.
The authors of these simple gestures know Miller not only as their Resident Assistant, but also as their friend. The residents of the seventh floor spent Monday evening making cards to send to Miller, as well as decorating Miller’s door, to welcome her once she can return home.
It may be a little while longer before anyone can see her, however, as Miller’s parents have asked concerned students to give her more time to heal before visiting.
Miller was hospitalized on Feb. 1 after being shot in her chest and her eye by 21-year-old Shawn Walker.
The 20-year-old undeclared junior spends much of her time on campus among her residents and her absence has gone far from unnoticed.
The news spread quickly across campus, and through her residency.
“I was at home when my roommates called to tell me what happened,”said freshman resident, Joanna Falcone.
“We were all shocked and scared for Cori. She is just a genuinely wonderful person.”
Among those feeling Miller’s absence, are her classmates, including Crystal Minnis, who had met Miller during a dance class.
Minnis describes Miller as, “a really sweet girl, always smiling.”
She had intended on calling Miller Saturday to ask her to do her hair when she heard the news of the shooting.
“I was shocked,”she said.
Several students have planned other ways to show their support for Miller.
Amanda Latham, a freshman Kardon resident, has been preparing a photo album of the seventh floor residents as a gift to Miller, “to let her know we care and have been thinking about her.”
Other students are anxiously awaiting permission to visit Miller and her family.
“We know that it is going to be awhile, but as soon as possible, we want to go bring the cards and letters to Cori,”said Falcone.
“We want to keep her spirits up and make sure she knows how much she’s loved and how much we need her.”
“We are all anxiously awaiting the day we’ll see her on the seventh floor again.
We want everyone to keep her in their thoughts,”said resident Sherri Starcher.
“Cori has been one of the leading forces in making the floor a great place to be.
No matter where you were, she would go out of her way for you to say hello and ask how your day was going,”said resident Cory Young.
“I’m praying for a speedy recovery so we can all see that bright smile again.”
Holli Powitzky can be reached at Hollip@temple.edu.
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