Approximately 400 students in the UNC School of Dentistry spread around several organizations and locations on Thursday for DEAH DAY – a day of service honoring Deah Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha, who were shot and killed in February 2015.

Barakat was a student in the School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill and Yusor, his wife of just a few weeks, was set to join him last fall. But the newlyweds and Yusor’s sister, Razan, were shot and killed by a neighbor in their apartment complex.

The world quickly focused on Chapel Hill after the three Muslim students – dubbed ‘Our Three Winners’ – were killed. And quickly the world found out about the impact these three young people had on those around them.

To carry on the legacy of doing good in the world and helping those in need, students in the School of Dentistry participated in the inaugural Day of Service last fall.

Chancellor Carol Folt said it is heartwarming to see students want to carry on that legacy.

“I’m very moved by it,” Folt said. “I’ve gotten to know Deah’s family very well. I think the students that continue DEAH DAY and the faculty and staff are so sincere, they became so involved. Clearly, they got to know the extraordinary students from the start. But this feeling that the community could actually honor lives by spreading that mission of service forward is so deeply motivating. It’s a part of the grand mission that we hear in our students. And so that’s what it means to me every time I see them come together; I think this is so sincere and from the heart.”

The community service event is scheduled to continue to be held annually. The School of Dentistry cancels classes and closes most clinics on that day.

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