A smiling portrait of a young black man shines out from its position on the top of the Atherton steps; as it rests on an easel next to a speaker’s podium under a dark gray sky threatening rain at any moment.

One year ago, a dark cloud gathered over Butler University, and that same man in the portrait shone just as bright when he came to the rescue of his community. On Sept. 24, 2004, Butler lost a hero and gained a guardian angel.