By > Andrea Jo DeWerd > The George Washington University

Like the rest of the world, we here at College Magazine would like take a moment to remember the fallen stars…  Michael, Farrah and Billy, you will be greatly missed and never forgotten!  

Here are a few thoughts and memories from our team. 

“No matter where I am, or how I feel, Thriller always gets me up on my feet, smiling. Thanks, MJ. And to Farrah, may we all aspire to be as gorgeous, fun and confident as you were every moment of your luxe life. To Billy, your contagious smile and convincing pitches will always set the standard in advertising… never to be forgotten.”  Anna Kowalczyk, Public Relations Director 

“Last week, the world lost three wonderful, talented and magnanimous people at a painfully premature age. Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Billy Mays, each in his or her own right, contributed to the lives of millions around the world as respective musician, actress and salesman. Their untimely deaths remind each of us to take no day for granted, and to live life to the fullest.”  Jessica Arden Ettinger, Photo Manager 

“Michael Jackson was really the bridge between my music taste and my mother's. My mom is a huge Motown fan––and of course, I am, too, by association––so growing up, I would always listen to The Jackson 5, The Temptations, Earth, Wind & Fire, et cetera. When Michael went big as a solo artist/performer, [my mother] stuck with him, and being the King of Pop, he clearly influenced the music I listened to on hit radio stations. But it wasn't only his music; it was his unbelievable dance skills that also impacted the entertainment industry. I would watch performances on MTV, and my mom would say, ‘I hope you know that's a Michael move.’”  Sammi Liang, Public Relations 

“I was born too late to witness Michael Jackson's major career milestones, but I've noticed many times that nothing can get a group of people dancing and having a good time like Jackson 5 or a Michael Jackson hit. His contribution to American popular music is unrivaled.”  Trish Daly, In-House Manager 

“Michael Jackson represented all of us.  Every race, gender and sex of our current generation will remember him and could relate to him in many ways.  It has been quite a while since someone died who has been such an icon.”  Igor Fedorovskiy 

“Billy Mays is THE infomercial guy. My sister and I would always try to make our own commercials for our own farcical products, and we'd try to imitate Billy Mays. I think he really defined that infomercial persona that everyone attempted to impersonate.” Sammi Liang, Public Relations 

“Maybe not everyone knew Billy Mays by name, but he was certainly a brilliant salesman––just the other day my friend spilled on her shirt and used OxiClean, and remarked, ‘I guess I should thank that OxiClean guy!’ She hadn't heard.” Trish Daly, In-House Manager 

“Billy Mays I always respected and loved. He only did one thing, but he did it so incredibly well. I also loved how he took so much crap from everyone, about what a joke he was, how he only yelled, etc. He never apologized for who he was, though.”  Tony Herman, Blog Editor, Account Executive 

“Farrah Fawcett's beauty was matched only by her dignified fight against a terrible disease – she'll always be remembered as an icon that aged gracefully and bravely.” Trish Daly, In-House Manager 

“Unfortunately, I wasn't really familiar with any of these celebrities––leave it to me to have no sense of pop-culture… I wouldn't know if I bumped into Miley Cyrus at the mall! Michael Jackson was one of those huge names, which, of course, I knew, but I never really listened to his music. In middle school though, I remember my friends and I went through a phase where it was super-trendy to make up dances to The Way You Make Me Feel.  His death brought back memories of putting together routines in someone's basement with the kind of seriousness you'd expect from music video choreographers. I laughed at how cool we thought we were.”  Erin Lanzo, Article Manager 

“When I think of Michael Jackson’s music I’m reminded of summer camp, where his songs were used for making up dances, socials and color war sing offs (where we would revamp the lyrics to include camp themes and colors “It doesn’t matter if you’re green or white”); his voice was part of the soundtrack of my childhood. I still have a copy of the Dangerous tape my mom made for me so I could take it to camp, and my friends and I would play it on the cabin boom box. Michael Jackson’s music will live on forever with some of my most cherished memories.” Amanda Nachman, Publisher 

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) 

Farrah Leni Fawcett (February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009) 

William Darrell “Billy” Mays, Jr.  (July 20, 1958 – June 28, 2009)

*Photo from accesshollywood.com