Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / March 13, 2003, edition 1 / Page 15
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The Pendulum Features Thursday, March 13, 2003 •Page 15 Farrell chooses to live for the moment: lures life Eric Hall Opinions Editor There was a certain energy about him that could not be imitated or fabri cated. During the entire 24 hours of the first Elon Dance Marathon, Brian Farrell stood tall before a microphone and inspired more than 200 dancers, volunteers and spectators to keep on moving. Farrell was one of many who attacked the heavy task of beginning an Elon edition of the national marathon, which was a fundraiser that benefited children at Duke Children’s Hospital. The program raised more than $36,000 and counting, which sets the national record for most funds achieved by a first year marathon. Farrell and Melissa Murphey, director of Greek Life, started the planning for “THON,” and hired all the executive staff members to help build the project. It took a sturdy soul to have the valor to begin a program such as this, and few have the determination and passion to make an attempt. Farrell has it, and more. “He has the biggest heart of anyone I know,” said Katie Zell, a longtime friend of Farrell’s and co-worker in the Marathon. After meeting Farrell, who can often be seen wearing a backward UNC hat, one can’t help but catch his contagious energy. Farrell could meet someone for the first time and instead of shaking their hand, he throws a warm embrace. He seems to have no reluctance to let friends into his heart. One of his greatest traits may be that he talks incredibly fast. When you try to listen to every word, you seem to smile because you real ize that his mind is racing with so many passionate ideas. Farrell has a vocabulary all his own, and those close to him say they find them selves talking like him when a word like “trizzle,” which means the truth, flies from their mouths. His demanding schedule would drown most, but Farrell sails above the pressure of time. Farrell is the team leader for facilities in Campus Recreation, in which he oversees 21 employees. He is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, where he served two years as vice-president creating many new commu nity service programs. He works two jobs, one at Campus Rec and the other as a wait er at Outback Steakhouse. “I’ve never seen anyone so busy as him,” roommate Chris Freitag said. “But he gets it all done and rarely shows signs of slowing down.” With every meeting that has to be attended and every decision that has to made, Farrell keeps his priorities straight - family and friends first. One of four children, he is close with his Courtesy of B. Farrell Brian Farrell’s newborn niece attended her first THON last weekend. parents and sib lings. His family traveled to Elon last weekend to support his marathon efforts. His mother, Eileen, joined the crowd by standing the entire time. Friends say Farrell’s most intriguing trait may be how he cares for others. And it’s not the simple asking “how you are,” it’s the notion people receive from him that he is actually listening to your thoughts, not just hearing them. He doesn’t just care, he truly cares. “Even if he just had a bad day, he can turn his mood around and make you happy,” Zell said. “He just sees the good in everything.” Farrell is the kind of person who would awake during the odd hours of the night if a friend needed to talk, and he wouldn’t even yawn. What might be most attractive about the man is his courage to live life the way he wishes. The challenge of blazing a trail has never deterred Farrell from making that risky and frightening initial step. He is relentlessness to keep walking and eventually run to the goal he began to seek. His vibrant spirit plants footsteps into the paths he has conquered. A simple conversation with him will lead one to believe that his destiny is full and grand - because it is just that. He may not have realized what the dreams of his destiny are yet, but he has made many others’ come true. Just by knowing him. Farrell plans to attend grad school fol lowing his graduation in the spring. As he exits his productive and busy years of col lege, he remains a juggernaut that will hur dle any obstacle that keeps him from suc cess. Farrell resembles a tower because so many look up to him. Yet he’s so humble he refuses to accept that he is, in fact, a role model. His addictive presence makes him a dynamic leader, and encourages those who look for a guide to observe every move he makes. Farrell’s persona has a way of luring people into believing in him and trusting that he will be there for them. “He’s there to jump on the bed with you when you are excited and hold you when you need to cry,” said Zell. Farrell’s inspiration seems to come from the simple fact that he knows many people and is able to call them true friends. Farrell is a man whose future awaits him, and is someone who is ready to take on the world. And he will just because he wants it so badly. Contact Eric Hall at pendulum@elon.edu or 278-7247. nou/ niuck u/ouw ijou pcu nUA^r Emergency Contraception can prevent preqnat\c)i up to five days after unprotected sex. Call Dial EC for more information and a prescription, 7 days a week. 1-666-942-7762 www.dialec.org Planned Parenthood’ The Pendulum wants you! Write for features, A&E, opinions, sports or news. Contact us at pen- dulunn@elon.edu or 278-7247.
Elon University Student Newspaper
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