“Nothing But Love”: Frostburg Community Joins Together to Celebrate the Life of Late Student

Frostburg State students, faculty, and staff gathered Thursday night, Feb. 13, 2020, to celebrate the life of Donesha Chew, a graduating senior who tragically lost her life Sunday, Feb. 9, following a horrific car accident the day prior. 

Donesha, affectionately known to her friends as “Nesh” and “Don Don,” was a beloved member of the National Council for Negro Women, Caribbean Student Association, Paparazzi Perfect Modeling Team, Student Government Association, and United Voices Under God’s Dominion Gospel Choir.  She was a respected student leader on campus and touched the hearts of many. 

The celebration of her life on campus, known as “Nesh Day,” had a full day of events planned, beginning with an NCNW-sponsored table in Lane. Students, faculty, and staff were allowed to write down their favorite memories of Donesha to send to her family. The table featured witty quotes and remarks from the late student as well.

At 5 PM, observers gathered in Compton 226 for an event entitled “For the Culture.” Attendees were split into four groups for a Jeopardy game filled with trivia questions about black pop culture and a featured section called “So You Think You Know Nesh?” Chew was celebrated then with lighthearted competition amongst close friends and family. The coveted Final Jeopardy question was a true test for all of Nesh’s closest friends: what was Nesh’s middle name, spelled correctly? Friends of the late student raced to write down her middle name: Floraine. 

Concluding the celebration in Compton was a candlelit walk down the steps to the Lane University Center. Attendees were handed vigil candles and shared the light of the candles with each other, just as Nesh had shared her light- her joy- with the world. A purple scarf and balloons were left with the Bobcat statue, a gesture understood to mean “once a bobcat, always a bobcat.” Over fifty individuals from the Frostburg State community took the walk of remembrance for Chew, with her closest friends, fellow NCNW teammates, and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated members leading the group down the stairs. 

Flowing into the Alice R. Manicur Assembly Hall was a sea of shades of purple. Balloons lined the entrance into ARMAH as SGA members and Iotas handed out programs to all who entered. President Nowaczyk started the ceremony with opening remarks and best regards to the family and friends of late Chew, followed by Tyler Bauer, who stood in for Ms. Robin Wynder, unable to attend due to illness. Dr. Reverend Cindy Zirlott delivered the opening prayer to a silent ARMAH, with the United Voices Under God’s Dominion singing one of Donesha’s favorite songs shortly after. 

With students raising their heads and hands in praise, Emmanuel by Norman Hutchings rang through the room. Attendees absorbed every word of the song in remembrance of Donesha, who later sang the same song in a video shown on the projector. 

Daysha Sanders, Kalyn Brown, and Jordan Stallworth followed the music with separate remarks on their late best friend. They each recounted their memories of and with Donesha, specifically the immense joy that she exuded toward everyone she interacted with. Brown detailed her daily encounters with Chew, specifically knocking on her window every morning to make sure she would make it to class on time, and the three girls sharing dinner weekly. A performance by Paparazzi Perfect Modeling Team, to which Chew was a member, followed Sanders and Brown’s remarks.

A slideshow of memories, videos, and photos of Chew with her family and friends came after, accompanied by laughter and tears from the audience. Immersed in the sights and sounds of Donesha’s laughter, singing to songs in the car, dancing, and voice one more time, guests were then given the opportunity to recount their memories and experiences with her. 

What followed were beautiful and tenderhearted gestures of love for the late student. Many told of their experiences with her and her joy and her beautiful smile. Countless remarks about her delicious cooking, specifically her fried pork chops, which were a group favorite, and how she had created this community of people around her through food.

A moment of silence was held for the late student, where students raised their flashlights to shine her light once more. 

Frostburg’s new Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Artie Travis, then took the microphone to give the guests of the service words of encouragement. He motivated students to keep going while keeping Donesha in their hearts; to carry her with them wherever they went, but not to get bogged down in the sadness and the grief. All knew well that what Chew would have wanted was laughter and smiles, even through grief. 

The service wound down with a poem reading by friends Kenaya Fair and Jordan Stallworth. With smiles of remembrance for their friend, they read to the room:

“The day you got your angel wings

My heart abstained true pain

Couldn’t believe, didn’t want to believe

I could never see Nesh again

Talking to you for hours

Just laughing on the phone

True and honest love for me is all you’ve ever shown

My heart is very heavy

I love and miss you Nesh

My life will never be the same

You truly were a beast

You’ll never be forgotten

Some days I know I’ll cry

God needed you for his reasons

It’s always “see you later”

And never goodbye.”

A dance performance by the Caribbean Student Association preceded by brief and sweet remarks from the CSA President. 

The service closed with FSU’s Vice President for Enrollment Management, Ms. Arlene Cash. She performed a short spiritual act and acknowledged all of the love in the room that had been shown throughout the evening’s events. 

Attendees then gathered together for a group picture to give to the family and friends and then made their way outside to release the purple balloons up into the skies. 

Though the Celebration of Life events have concluded on campus, Donesha’s influence and impact on the students, faculty, and staff of Frostburg State’s campus will live on for years to come. Chew’s family will receive her posthumous degree at graduation in the spring, where she will be honored once more as well. 

Donesha Chew was and continues to be a cherished member of the FSU community, a respected student leader, and a genuine, joyful friend. She will be greatly missed by those she interacted with at FSU and beyond.

Donesha Floraine Chew’s obituary can be found here. FSU has arranged a charter bus for those interested in attending Donesha’s Celebration of Life at the St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church in Hollywood, MD on Friday, Feb. 21. For information, contact Bill Mandicott at wmandicott@frostburg.edu. Space is limited.

Counseling and Psychological Services is providing special services for grieving students. If you are in need of help, please contact CAPS at 301-687-4234. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Donesha’s family. For more information, please contact Daysha Sanders or Kalyn Brown.