Marjory “Tyler” Rounds, a professor at Kent State University’s School of Music, died Sept. 2, 2017. She left behind a legacy of optimism and musical passion, impacting the students she knew throughout the years.

Delta Pi Upsilon, a music fraternity aimed to develop its members’ musicianship and promote diversity in music, held a candlelight vigil for Rounds Sept. 18. All students were invited.

Students painted the rock on Front Campus, shared memories, lit candles in memory of her bright spirit, and sang the university’s alma mater, just as she did at the candlelight vigil for her late husband when he died in Aug. 2016.

Students wrote messages to Rounds on the back of the rock. They said things such as “You had a heart of gold” and “Thank you for always believing in me.”

As a music professor, fraternity advisor for Delta Pi Upsilon, and co-director of the Steel Drum Band, Rounds reached many Kent State students. She was known for her kindness and happiness.

“Tyler was such a kind soul and seeing her around the School of Music was always something that brightened my day,” said junior psychology major Alexandra Hoppe, previously a student in Rounds’ Music As A World Phenomenon class. “She always stopped me to ask how I was and how everything was going.”

Students and professors alike noticed Rounds’ passionate energy and uplifting nature.

“Although we taught different concentrations within the School of Music, I was always taken by Tyler’s optimism and perspective,” said Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music Jesse Leyva, who said he met Rounds at the start of his tenure in 2013. “As a colleague, she had a natural sense of how you were feeling, and knew just what to say– even in the briefest moments– to put life and/or teaching music into perspective.”

Rounds cared not only for the well-being of those around her, but for the success of her students’ organizations.

“[Her husband] was the founding faculty advisor for my fraternity, Delta Pi Upsilon,” said Alexandra Hoppe, also president of Delta Pi Upsilon. “Following his passing, Tyler took over for us and helped us continue… She was always asking if there was anything she could do to help.”

Along with helping keep Delta Pi Upsilon running on Kent State University’s campus, Rounds also created a steel pan ensemble for non-music majors, helping a large range of students participate in music.

In addition to kindness and optimism, Rounds spread her passion for music amongst Kent State students.

“When Tyler’s passing spread through our School, student expressions of adoration, respect, and inspiration on social media were abundant,” Leyva said. “Many students conveyed stories of Tyler’s creative way of relating content, her vitality and passion as she taught courses, and her encouraging spirit.”

For many Kent State University students, music is not only a passion, but a career path. Rounds was a role model for her students due to her ample musical experience.

She was a musical prodigy with training from the Eastman School of Music, Byron-Bergen Central School, and the Boston University School of Music. She was a percussionist in the Tyler-Rounds Jazz Duo, in which she performed professionally with her late husband, Theodore “Ted” Rounds, Director of Percussion Studies at Kent State University.

“Tyler had such a strong sense of passion and drive,” said Delta Pi Upsilon president Hoppe. “Her and Ted travelled the world playing music in the most amazing settings. They were such an inspirational couple.”

For one Kent State student, Tyler Rounds was the drive she needed to keep working towards her goals.

“Her passion for life and music inspired me to push through my last year of school and into my student teaching this fall,” said senior music education major Katherine Strok. “She was a bright light in the School of Music.”

Tyler Rounds deeply impacted her Kent State students both in their musical endeavors and everyday lives.

Students from Kent State University’s School of Music painted the rock on Front Campus to honor the memory of late professor Marjory “Tyler” Rounds Sept. 18.