Campus to observe Zimmermann anniversary

The late Brittany Zimmermann will be in the thoughts of UW–Madison students, faculty and staff on the one-year anniversary of her death, Thursday, April 2.

“Brittany is still very much in our minds and hearts,” says Dean of Students Lori Berquam. “On Thursday, we plan to celebrate her memory.”

To honor Zimmermann, the Carillon Tower bells will toll 21 times, one chime for each year of her life, at 12:20 p.m., the approximate time of her death.

Members of the campus community are invited to observe the ceremony from the Carillon Tower base, 1160 Observatory Drive.

During the chimes, the Army ROTC Color Guard will present the colors in remembrance of the positive impact she had during her life.

Following the tolling of the bells, carillonneur Lyle Anderson will play “Intermezzo for Delft” by Leen’t Hart. Also on April 2, Berquam will also meet with Zimmermann’s parents, Kevin and Jean.

Zimmermann was killed inside her downtown Madison apartment on April 2, 2008, and the investigation into her death continues. The Marshfield native was majoring in medical microbiology and immunology and planned to attend medical school. She was awarded her UW–Madison degree posthumously in 2008.

Aunt Kim Heeg, serving as family spokesperson, thanks the Madison community for its support during the past year, but stresses that it is difficult to cope with such an enormous loss.

“‘It will get better with time.’ … We have heard this statement frequently over the past year,” she says. “The truth is that the heartache we feel today is even worse than that of a year ago. The realization that never again will we hear Brittany’s contagious laugh, see her infectious smile or feel her arms around us in a hug is more than words can express.

“We all lost so much a year ago. The world lost a beautiful young woman with so much to offer. We, her family, lost a part of our hearts that will never be filled and feel a physical pain in our bodies each and every day. Brittany loved life and she loved her family; we will spend every minute of every day loving her and missing her amazing presence.”

Those wishing to do something positive on the anniversary of Zimmermann’s death have the opportunity to help financially challenged students earn college degrees.

Contributions to the “Dollars for Brittany” fund can be sent to the Brittany Zimmermann Memorial Fund, Marshfield Medical Center Credit Union, P.O. Box 279, Marshfield, WI 54449.

“We continue to be grateful for the community support we have received and proudly announce that the first-ever Brittany Zimmermann Memorial Scholarship will be awarded this spring,” Heeg says.

In addition to scholarship money, Zimmermann’s family has established a private reward fund. It currently stands at $15,000. Anyone with tips or information should call Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014. Callers can remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers also has a separate reward fund of up to $1,000.

Out of the horror of her loss, Berquam says that a renewed emphasis and focus on campus safety has developed on campus during the past year. For more information, visit this site or e-mail dean@odos.wisc.edu.