Claire Voltarel, Campus Carrier Staff Writer

Andrea Hill | CAMPUS CARRIER

Berry and Rome community members gathered in the College Chapel on Thursday morning for Peter Lawler’s memorial service. The service featured prayer, music and speakers, including faculty and students who were close to Lawler or were impacted by his work.

Colleagues, students and friends remembered Peter Augustine Lawler, who passed away May 23, at his memorial service on August 31. 

The Berry College Chapel was filled with many members of Berry’s community who participated in song and prayer. Speakers included President Stephen Briggs, the Rev. Jonathan Huggins, Lawler’s close friends Michael Papazian, Christy Snider and junior Meg Ligon, one of Lawler’s mentees. 

“Peter was a man of grace and truth,” Briggs said. 

Many reflected on Lawler’s brilliance, humor and care for students and Berry as a whole. The chapel was filled with laughter at times when discussing his many quirky tendencies.

All admired his dedication to education and will continue his profound legacy on campus. Those wishing to contribute to this legacy can donate to the Peter A. Lawler Endowed Scholarship in honor of Berry’s government and international studies department.