Remembrance service scheduled for Vanderbilt graduate student Taylor Force

Flowers were placed at the entrance of Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management in memory of slain student Taylor Force. (Vanderbilt University)

The members of the Vanderbilt community will gather Friday, March 18, to remember Owen Graduate School of Management student Taylor Force, who was killed March 8 in a terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The service will take place at 4 p.m. on campus at Benton Chapel, 411 21st Ave. S. The service is closed to the public. Because of limited seating in the chapel, priority will be given to members of the Owen School community and those who knew Force well. Additional guests will be seated in the chapel as space is available. For others wishing to share in the remembrance, the service will be streamed live at the Central Library, which is next door to the chapel, and the Schulman Center for Jewish Life, at 2421 Vanderbilt Place.

Live video streaming also may be viewed at the time of the service at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/religiouslife/taylor-force-memorial.

Taylor Force (Vanderbilt University)

All Vanderbilt students are invited to gather and share their grief Thursday, March 17, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Office of the University Chaplain and Religious Life. All students are welcome whether or not they identify with any religious tradition.

Force, 28, was a first-year MBA student and a 2009 graduate of West Point. He was part of a group of 28 Owen School students, accompanied by four faculty and staff, who traveled to Israel to learn about global entrepreneurship through meetings with start-up companies. All other Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff on the trip are safe and have returned home.

Counseling services are available for any member of the Vanderbilt community needing assistance. Students can access the Psychological and Counseling Center at 615-322-2571; faculty and staff can contact the Employee Assistance Program by calling 615-936-1327. The Office of Religious Life and University Chaplain can be reached at 615-322-2457.

Condolences and remembrances for the Force family can be sent to the Owen Graduate School of Management at cmc@owen.vanderbilt.edu or to Career Management Center, Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management, 401 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37203.