PHOTOS: Towson U. Community Gathers to Mourn Bailey, Coyer

students, faculty and staff gathered for a Tuesday evening candlelight vigil led by the university's fraternities and sororities, as the university community struggles to make sense out of the past weekend's twin tragedies.

Ryan Bailey, 20, was . Timothy Coyer, 27, was later that same day.

"Ryan and Tim will not be able to live out their lives and their dreams, but it is highly likely that most of you on this hill will be able to do that. So what we can do is carry them in our hearts as we live out our lives of love and service," said Towson President Maravene Loeschke to the crowd of hundreds in front of Towson's Speaker's Circle.

"If you have any doubt about the love these two men have given all of us then just take a look at the love on this hill," Loeschke said.

Bailey and Coyer were both active in Greek groups—Bailey in Sigma Chi and Coyer in Kappa Sigma.

Coyer enrolled at Towson last fall after years of military service, including two tours of duty in Iraq. He was older than most students and regarded as an "older brother" in his fraternity.

"Tim had a good relationship with everyone in the fraternity and always told about the times he had overseas and how much fun he had serving," said Ryan Klock, Kappa Sigma's president. "He taught me respect, how to be a gentleman."

And though Sigma Chi is no longer on campus, Bailey worked to help other fraternities.

"He was still active in Greek life, helping out with Greek Games, with Greek Week, anything he can to make Greek life stronger on campus," said Bruce Evan Blackwell, president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

The service, which lasted roughly one hour, included remarks from Loeschke, the school's Catholic and Jewish chaplains and fraternity and sorority leaders.

"The premature passing of these two young men is a tragedy, but while you may mourn these men, we as a community must celebrate their lives and the lives that these young men led and the people that they touched," said Calvin Smith, coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life. "Life is a gift and every moment is precious, so remember to celebrate their lives by living yours to the fullest. Now is the time to be your brother's keeper and your sister's keeper."

The students lit hundreds of white candles one by one and held a moment of silence for the two.

Afterwards, students walked down the hill from their seats to the makeshift memorial in front of the podium one by one, then in small groups, then in large groups. Some left flowers, flags, photos and T-shirts. One man knelt in front of a picture of Coyer, paused, and then wept deeply, and was comforted by his fraternity brothers.

The Towerlight reports that members of Coyer's family were present at the memorial. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.