Posted on Feb 24, 2006

The Union community welcomes back Charles Holiday '06, who returned to campus earlier this week after being attacked while visiting Cornell University last weekend.


Mara Vandenbold '06 & Charles Holiday '06


Holiday, 22, was stabbed in the chest on Saturday night after he was confronted by a Cornell student who allegedly made racial remarks. Holiday spent several days in an Elmira hospital and was released Tuesday. According to Interim President Jim Underwood, Holiday “is hoping to resume his class schedule soon.”


A well-known senior who has been described as “a gentle soul,” Holiday is a member of Union's male a cappella group, the Dutch Pipers, and is active in the College drama program. He also is involved in multicultural activities and helped coordinate this month's Black History Month events.



In one tribute to Holiday's spirit and resilience, this week's Concordiensis published a poem dedicated to him. It reads, in part: “He still has that / Unwavering smile — / It's impossible not to grin.” 


“My hope is that an incident like this will raise consciousness about the harm racism can cause,” said Stephen C. Leavitt, dean of students.