Article on Candan in the CC Magazine
What follows is the article on Candan in the Spring 2006 issue of the Connecticut College Magazine:
Candan Bayraktar ’07, 1985-2006
CC loses a vibrant spirit
At freshmen orientation, Candan Bayraktar '07 went to Student Health Services to get a vaccination that was not available in her hometown in Turkey. "Even though more than one hundred new students had come through [the] office that day, she was the most memorable," said Cheryl Kruszewski, assistant director of Student Health Services. "Her excitement was hard for her to contain. I still smile when I think of her on that first day and of how thrilled she was to be here."
Candan's infectious smile permeated the campus community. Since her death on March 11, her fellow students have posted nearly daily comments about her spirit and vibrancy on Candan's profile in Facebook, a social networking Web site.
For starters, there is the simple comment left there 12 days after her death by her boyfriend, Søren Gabrielsen '07: "I miss you so much."
It goes on and on, from Julia, Yuko, Jessica, Pote, Jesse, Breigh, Kelly, Felipe ... in English, Turkish, Spanish ... notes of remembrance, of faith and of hope.
It did not take her long to capture the hearts of her fellow CC students. Candan arrived on campus for her freshman year in 2004 and left in the middle of her sophomore year after suffering a relapse of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She died in Ankara, Turkey, to the enormous distress of not only her family but of the family she created at CC in little more than a year.
Kathleen Callaghan, Candan's freshman year roommate, knows intimately the impact Candan had on people: "She was my sister and one of my best friends. She holds secrets that no one else will ever know. She taught me how to grow, be open and to love. These are qualities not just anyone can teach."
The sentiments of her Facebook friends, of which she had hundreds at CC alone and many more at college and universities across the United States, are underscored by faculty, staff and other students who recall a spirit of unparalleled energy, who loved -no, lived- to dance.
"Even when she was sick and almost falling over, she wanted to dance," said Heidi Henderson, visiting assistant professor of dance. "I let her dance and am so glad that I honored her own choice in that way, because I would feel so sad now if I had taken one minute of dancing away from her."
Candan concentrated on dance and biochemistry. She was a pre-med major and member of the CC Dance Club and Dance Team.
"Your presence, your smile, and your dance always light up the room."-Pote Jarupanich '06
In her second semester of freshman year, Candan was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Her divorced parents stayed together at College House to care for her. "She was worried about losing her hair," said Deniz Dinler '07. "I shaved my head, and then shaved hers. She was a great person, a great friend, a beautiful dancer and a very smart woman."
Beverly Kowal '90, associate dean of the College and international student advisor, remembered that Candan always began her e-mails to Kowal the same way: "I hope this finds you in happiness."
Candan endured chemotherapy yet continued to attend dance classes.
David Milstone, dean of Student Life, sat in on group meetings with Candan and her parents. "I saw a young woman who tried to comfort her parents as they expressed to us their obvious concern for her well-being," he said. "I saw a mom who was so devoted to her daughter that she came to live with her in a campus apartment for a month, despite not speaking any English. I saw a father whose daughter meant the world to him, doing all in his power to get the best help for her."
"You were inspirational, and that's something that holds true with or without your physical presence on earth."-Jessica Bayner '07
In the fall of 2005, Yaesemin Ozumerzifon '06 videotaped Candan's friends' thoughts and feelings about her. "Looking at what people said, it was clear she had an important place in many people's hearts," she said. "She lit up the room when she entered. Her eyes shine with enthusiasm, energy, kindness and love. You could tell a lot about her by looking at her eyes."
"You will light up heaven with your smile."-Julia Wisbach '06
Weeks after her death, Selin Devranoglu '06 said, "I can feel her around everywhere on campus. I always thought she fit so well into this school and that she made a great decision to come here and make our lives brighter by being with us and she still does."
A memorial service centered on her love of dance was held for her on campus on the evening of April 7. - NML
Candan Bayraktar ’07, 1985-2006
CC loses a vibrant spirit
At freshmen orientation, Candan Bayraktar '07 went to Student Health Services to get a vaccination that was not available in her hometown in Turkey. "Even though more than one hundred new students had come through [the] office that day, she was the most memorable," said Cheryl Kruszewski, assistant director of Student Health Services. "Her excitement was hard for her to contain. I still smile when I think of her on that first day and of how thrilled she was to be here."
Candan's infectious smile permeated the campus community. Since her death on March 11, her fellow students have posted nearly daily comments about her spirit and vibrancy on Candan's profile in Facebook, a social networking Web site.
For starters, there is the simple comment left there 12 days after her death by her boyfriend, Søren Gabrielsen '07: "I miss you so much."
It goes on and on, from Julia, Yuko, Jessica, Pote, Jesse, Breigh, Kelly, Felipe ... in English, Turkish, Spanish ... notes of remembrance, of faith and of hope.
It did not take her long to capture the hearts of her fellow CC students. Candan arrived on campus for her freshman year in 2004 and left in the middle of her sophomore year after suffering a relapse of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She died in Ankara, Turkey, to the enormous distress of not only her family but of the family she created at CC in little more than a year.
Kathleen Callaghan, Candan's freshman year roommate, knows intimately the impact Candan had on people: "She was my sister and one of my best friends. She holds secrets that no one else will ever know. She taught me how to grow, be open and to love. These are qualities not just anyone can teach."
The sentiments of her Facebook friends, of which she had hundreds at CC alone and many more at college and universities across the United States, are underscored by faculty, staff and other students who recall a spirit of unparalleled energy, who loved -no, lived- to dance.
"Even when she was sick and almost falling over, she wanted to dance," said Heidi Henderson, visiting assistant professor of dance. "I let her dance and am so glad that I honored her own choice in that way, because I would feel so sad now if I had taken one minute of dancing away from her."
Candan concentrated on dance and biochemistry. She was a pre-med major and member of the CC Dance Club and Dance Team.
"Your presence, your smile, and your dance always light up the room."-Pote Jarupanich '06
In her second semester of freshman year, Candan was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Her divorced parents stayed together at College House to care for her. "She was worried about losing her hair," said Deniz Dinler '07. "I shaved my head, and then shaved hers. She was a great person, a great friend, a beautiful dancer and a very smart woman."
Beverly Kowal '90, associate dean of the College and international student advisor, remembered that Candan always began her e-mails to Kowal the same way: "I hope this finds you in happiness."
Candan endured chemotherapy yet continued to attend dance classes.
David Milstone, dean of Student Life, sat in on group meetings with Candan and her parents. "I saw a young woman who tried to comfort her parents as they expressed to us their obvious concern for her well-being," he said. "I saw a mom who was so devoted to her daughter that she came to live with her in a campus apartment for a month, despite not speaking any English. I saw a father whose daughter meant the world to him, doing all in his power to get the best help for her."
"You were inspirational, and that's something that holds true with or without your physical presence on earth."-Jessica Bayner '07
In the fall of 2005, Yaesemin Ozumerzifon '06 videotaped Candan's friends' thoughts and feelings about her. "Looking at what people said, it was clear she had an important place in many people's hearts," she said. "She lit up the room when she entered. Her eyes shine with enthusiasm, energy, kindness and love. You could tell a lot about her by looking at her eyes."
"You will light up heaven with your smile."-Julia Wisbach '06
Weeks after her death, Selin Devranoglu '06 said, "I can feel her around everywhere on campus. I always thought she fit so well into this school and that she made a great decision to come here and make our lives brighter by being with us and she still does."
A memorial service centered on her love of dance was held for her on campus on the evening of April 7. - NML
posted by K. N. Bayraktar at 00:44
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