YOGYAKARTA (KU) - Universitas Gadjah Mada sent condolence over the death of one of its alumni, Yuniawan Wahyu Nugroho, 42, who is one of the victims of the eruption of Mount Merapi on Tuesday (26/10). The condolence was delivered directly by Senior Vice Rector for Education, Research and Community Service Prof. Dr. Retno Sunarminingsih, M.Sc., Apt, before the graduation of 1031 graduates in Graha Sabha Pramana, Wednesday (27/10).
"Yuniawan who is a journalist of vivanews.com was an alumnus of philosophy UGM class 1987. Therefore, let us all express our condolence. May God forgive him and accept his good deeds," said Retno spontaneously at the end of her speech.
Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Dr. Muhammad Mukhtasar Syamsudin, also conveyed the same feeling over the death of his classmate. "Faculty of Philosophy is mourning his death. He was very active as a student and in the field of journalism," said Muntasar who was Wawan’s classmate.
Muntasar said he was shocked to hear the news as reported by the electronic media. On Tuesday night, he also received a text message from one of his friends who is a member of the Alliance of Independent Journalists, explaining Yuniawan had passed away.
"We are quite sad, therefore the arrangement of the transportation of his body from Sardjito Hospital to Ambarawa involved the Faculty," said the man from South Sulawesi.
In Muntasar’s view, the late journalist was a good person who was committed to fight for the aspirations of the people through the media. "I knew him well. He did have a very high commitment in voicing people’s aspiration by being a journalist," he said.
As reported, Yuniawan's body was found around the house of Mbah Maridjan in Kinahrejo Village, Cangkringan, Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday (26/10) night at around 22:00. His body was covered with volcanic ashes.
Yuniawan who was born on June 1, 1968. He left his wife, Endang Saptaningsih, 42, and two children, Sita Ardiyanti Laksiningtyas, 18, and Krisnayanti Cahayaningtyas, 13.