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In a showing of love and support for Monroe “Monty” Bates, an ��Ӱֱ�� State employee who recently passed away from the coronavirus, more than 100 participants in over 80 vehicles recently attended a drive-by calling at the homes of his immediate family members.

Bates, who was a maintenance assistant in the Facilities Services Department, passed away at the age of 39 on April 13, one week after testing positive for COVID-19. Because of social distancing, friends and relatives were unable to call on Bates’ family in a traditional manner, but were still able to honor his memory and show their support through a drive-by calling that took place on Friday, April 17.

University Police at ��Ӱֱ�� State led the convoy from campus to the homes of Bates’ mother, Theresa; sister, Chaundra; and father, Monroe, all of whom reside in Hornell.

Participants were encouraged to create and show signs that would be visible from their vehicles so that the family could see their messages of compassion and love for Bates. Many who did not have signs honked their horns instead as they drove by. Bates’ sister Chaundra Badeau posted a video of the drive-by calling to her Facebook page, along with the message, “��Ӱֱ�� State Strong! Condolences for Monroe Bates. GREAT FAMILY!”

In a follow-up email to employees on Friday, ��Ӱֱ�� State President Dr. Skip Sullivan said, “I am so very grateful to the ��Ӱֱ�� State Family for the show of affection for the family of Monty Bates, and for our colleague, Monty, as well. I am so very proud of all of you who participated in the tribute today, and all of those who have prayed for the family. I am so very blessed to be part of this family!”

Wendy Dresser-Recktenwald, chief of staff of Human Resources, said the death of Monroe Bates came as a shock to the college’s faculty and staff.

“It made COVID-19 real for our campus as a young and vibrant man like Monroe had succumbed to it,” she said. “Monroe was well-liked and respected and was an employee with excellent work ethic and a sense of humor; he will be greatly missed at ��Ӱֱ�� State.”

The ability to have the drive-by processional, Dresser-Recktenwald said, allowed ��Ӱֱ�� State employees “to do something for his family during this difficult time, express their sympathy, and start to heal themselves.”

“I have received so many emails and text messages from our employees who said they have never been prouder to be a part of ��Ӱֱ�� State College,” she said. “I know President Sullivan talks a lot about the ��Ӱֱ�� State Family, and this processional provided our employees something tangible to touch and feel and know what being a part of the ��Ӱֱ�� State Family really is.”