Second UNT student shot and killed over winter break
Gloria Mutschlechner, Sara's mother, shares a few words as her husband and Sara's father, Clay Mutschlechner, far left, looks on from the side during the candlelight vigil held by Zeta Tau Alpha in front of UNT's Greek Life Center on Saturday, January 2, 2016. Kristen Watson | DRC
Sarah Lagro | Senior Staff Writer
Family joins UNT community to honor Mutschlechner
Several hundred people stand in front of UNT’s Greek Life Center for a candlelight vigil held by Zeta Tau Alpha in memory of Sara Mutschlechne. Kristen Watson | DRC
Despite the chill in the January air, members of the UNT community gathered outside the Greek Life Center Saturday night to pay tribute to Sara Mutschlechner. People filed in from all directions, white candles in their hands, and gathered around a small podium perched atop the center’s stairs.
Mutschlechner died Friday evening after being shot in the head early New Year’s Day. She is the second UNT student to be shot and killed over the winter break. Mutschlechner was a junior at UNT and a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.
Dean of Students Maureen McGuinness opened the candlelight service by welcoming everyone to the Greek Life Center and addressing Mutschlechner’s parents, Gloria and Clay, who attended the ceremony.
“Sara Mutschlechner, a daughter, a sister, friend and student was taken away from us too soon,” McGuinness said. “Sara had an impact on so many people.”
McGuinness said she visited with Mutschlechnner’s mother on Friday.
A girl looks at her candle as friends of Sara Mutschlechner share memories of her during the candlelight vigil held by Zeta Tau Alpha in front of UNT’s Greek Life Center. Kristen Watson | DRC
“She told me over and over how much Sara loved UNT and how much she loved being a Zeta,” McGuinness said. “The outpouring of love and support throughout the UNT community has been incredible and a testament to who Sara is to many of us.”
McGuinness introduced Jordan Roberts, president of UNT’s chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, who shared a personal story about Sara before presenting Sara’s parents with a certificate in her memory. Roberts said Mutschlechnner was the definition of a Zeta lady and that all 110 of her sorority sisters loved her.
“No amount of darkness will ever dim the light of Sara’s memory,” Roberts said.
The crowd began lighting their candles after Roberts stepped away from the podium. McGuinness then opened the floor to the crowd to share stories and memories about Mutschlechnner.
Jason Biggs, assistant dean of Students to Greek Life, gave thanks to those who attended.
“I’m glad Greek Life and UNT can come together as a family,” Biggs said. “It makes us strong.”
McConnell Tower is lit green for the night in Mutschlechnner’s honor, and the UNT flag will be flown half-staff for a week. McGuinness announced that an organ donation drive will take place during the week of Valentine’s Day in honor of Mutschlechnner, whose organs were donated following her death.
Roberts and the ZTA members closed the vigil by singing Sara’s favorite ZTA song, “Today & Forever.”
Sara Mutschlechner’s life was honored at UNT tonight. @unt_zta made her a “Zeta Lady”-well deserved. #ZLAM pic.twitter.com/gVqxYvZisl
— Chelsea Kretz (@ChelseaKretz13) January 3, 2016
Today and forever we’ll be Zeta’s true We’ll honor our colors the grey and the blue. A million tomorrows shall all pass away ere we forget All the joys that we shared today. We’ll be together forever and ever. You’ll know who we are by the friendships we bring, We’ll all work together our ties not to sever We’ll laugh and we’ll cry and we’ll sing.
Annie Irwin, one of Mutschlechner’s sorority sisters, said dozens of people visited the ICU throughout the day Friday in support of a friend, classmate and loved one. Irwin had this to say Friday evening:
This photo of Sara Mutschlechner taken from her Facebook page.
“I’m absolutely devastated. Sara was one of the greatest people I’ve ever met. [She] always had a smile on her face and never had anything bad to say about anyone. To have this happen to her is horrific. The support that my sisters and I have received from the rest of Greek Life and UNT has blown me away. The amount of people that have been in and out of the ICU to see her has been endless. It really shows how many people Sara touched, and it fills my heart. She was such an amazing person and to see how many people she touched, including me, has been so amazing. It really shows her character though, she made friends with literally everyone and no one ever had anything negative to say about her. She was really an amazing person and I know I’m not the only person who thought so.”
Featured Image: Gloria Mutschlechner, Sara’s mother, shares a few words as her husband and Sara’s father, Clay Mutschlechner, far left, looks on from the side during the candlelight vigil held by Zeta Tau Alpha. Kristen Watson | DRC
I can only imagine the grief that this young woman’s family and friends are feeling now. There is hope to be found in Christ (Mark 1:15; John 3:14-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10; 2 Timothy 1:8-10)
Thank you do much. We struggle everyday. And we always will. Until we pass and join her.