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What follows are excerpts from the story about Mike from the Miami Univeristy News & Public Information Office.
Miami University is mourning the loss of one of its own, after learning that a graduate student was among those killed in action in Iraq Wednesday, Aug. 3. Michael Joseph Cifuentes was one of 14 Marines killed by a roadside bomb. Miami's Naval ROTC, of which Cifuentes belonged, has lowered the Millett Hall flag to half-staff in his memory. Cifuentes, 25, of Oxford, graduated from Miami in 2002 with a bachelor of arts in psychology and was a master's student in mathematics education when his Marine reserve unit was activated in January.
"Michael's death is a tragic blow to the many members of the university com
munity who were touched in some way by his life," said Miami President Jim Garland. "We know that we have a large number of our students go on to serve in our military and take great risks in defense of freedom, but in no way can one prepare for this loss. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Michael's family, friends and classmates."
He was scheduled to return to Miami to resume his degree spring semester 2006 and would also continue with his graduate assistantship. Cifuentes was a substitute teacher for the Talawanda School District. "His was a bright, funny, caring personality and he would have made an excellent math teacher," said Sara Hayes, coordinator of the Discovery Center.
As an undergraduate, Cifuentes was a five-year member of the Miami University marching band and head manager of the women's basketball team. "Mike was a member of the tuba section and he always gave 100 per
cent," said David Shaffer, marching band director. "He loved Miami football and was always the team's loudest voice from the stands. With great enthusiasm, he was always the 1st in line for the tuba snake and the one to ring the President's doorbell during the Band Day parade. I know Mike was a very proud Marine and a true American. We can only be thankful that Mike was with us for 25 short years. He was our friend, our brother and our defender."
Cifuentes was engaged to Tara Reynolds, a Miami graduate who teaches in the Fairfield City Schools. They were planning on marrying in the summer of 2006. Shaffer says the marching band will plan a tribute to Cifuentes early in the season.
As a chapter we feel a tremendous loss with the news of Mike's passing and our hearts go out not only to his family and friends, but to the members of his MC class as well as the other alumni members of our chapter that knew him best.
Forever ITB...