By Hailey MacDonald, Editor-in-Chief
Those who are a part of the Golden Bear family know how special it is to be a part of the Golden Bear family — it is something that sticks with you forever. When a member of our community is lost, the whole community feels that loss as one of our own.
William Evans, known as Billy, was a graduate of the class of 2002. A criminal justice major, he moved down to Virginia in 2003 and began his career as a United States Capitol Building officer, where he served for 18 years.
Just a few days ago on Friday, April 2, Evans lost his life to an attack at the Capitol Building. A car plowed into a barricade and into a few officers, and though a few others were injured, Evans was the only fatality. He risked and lost his life protecting the nation’s Capitol.
Western New England University, the White House and the Capitol Building are all flying their flags at half staff in honor of Evans.
In his time at Western New England University, Evans was a student athlete on the baseball team. He was also in the bowling club and the campus activities board (CAB).
Christopher Wystepek, the Executive Director for Admissions Outreach and Recruitment at the University, was friends with Evans. They met during their freshman year and graduated together. Wystepek told Western Mass news that Evans “just wanted to help out, do whatever he can” and said he was overall a very selfless, humble person.
Matt Labranche, the current Director of Athletics at Western New England University, coached Evans in baseball during his time as a Division III athlete.
University President Robert Johnson told Western Mass News that Evans “is the epitome of bravery, serving to keep our Capitol safe, people within the Congress safe, and he gave his life for it.”
The Westerner will be doing outreach to members of the University community to collect more information about Evans’ time at the University for a more in depth story. If you would like to contribute, please reach out to [email protected].
