(credit: thedonnieproject.com)
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Nine Rowan University journalism students spent their fall semester investigating the unsolved murder of a fellow student. The result is the Donnie Farrell project, an online collection of their work.
The students interviewed family, friends and witnesses and wrote stories about Donnie’s life, his murder and its aftermath. Their hope was to gain renewed interest in a cold case.
“We didn’t solve the crime, but we feel we’ve done something really meaningful.”
Adjunct Professor Amy Quinn said the students helped bring renewed interest in the cold case and uncovered new facts about what happened the day 19-year-old Donnie was killed.
“One of my students found a witness who was with Donnie and had not been interviewed at the time,” said Quinn. “She kind of shed a little more light for us on what they had been doing that day, how they encouraged that group of people.”
Quinn said the publicity surrounding the project also helped unite strangers who shared a common bond.
“The recipient of one of Donnie’s organs saw the stories in the paper and wrote his parents a letter and said I think I have your son’s kidney and I’d like to meet you and thank you. So they actually got together.”
Donnie Farrell was beaten to death outside of an X-Press Mart on Rowan’s campus four years ago. For more info on Donnie’s life and legacy, go to thedonnieproject.com.
MOST VIEWED GALLERIES
- PHOTOS: Wing Bowl 20 Wingettes
- PHOTOS: Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
- PHOTOS: Flyers Wives Fashion Show
- PHOTOS: Wing Bowl 20 Photos
- PHOTOS: In Memoriam: People We Lost In 2011




















5 Things To Do On A Snow Day
Black History Month Guide
Romantic Valentine's Day Trips
Valentine's Day Guide







2 Comments
word
December 26, 2011 at 11:42 am
Check out that web site. Rowan’s a horrible campus. Not stop weekend underage drinking and partying and alcohol fueled brawling EVERY WEEKEND by even the “honor students.” Non-students infiltrating the campus and mugging the inebriated students. I definitely won’t be sending my daughter there.
December 26, 2011 at 11:04 am