Vanity Duran and Markel Mazelin
Meet The Mark – Jazmine Glover, Third year Broadcast Journalism Student
I only had one encounter with the young and creative Markel Mazelin. It’s crazy how much of an impact he had on my life from just an hour of presenting himself and his work to my public relations class.
I met him in my Critical Issues in Public Relations class with Dr. Grable about two weeks before he passed away. He was talking to the class about his website. I thought he was just a straggling student, sticking around to talk to the professor. Instead he was preparing to explain his website and pulling up emails to show to my incoming class.
Automatically intrigued with his overall aura, I asked a multitude of questions and took down his email to ask any follow-up questions. It was a breath of fresh air to sit and listen to him talk about the different things he had to do to get to where he wanted to go.
He was willing to guide anyone through the steps of his successes. Markel admitted to not being perfect and showed the class his growth, through a resume, from when he first started sending emails to companies.
It was apparent Markel was on a mission to get everything in life that was worth gaining. He was so passionate about building brands, fashion, and helping others succeed.
He has really been an inspiration to me. He inspired me to rid myself of the old saying "Why do today, what can be done tomorrow?"
I wrote myself a reminder to email him, so he could continue to put a positive bug in my ear and help me develop myself. I kept waiting until “tomorrow,” just to find out that opportunity was gone.
Vanity Duran, Research Assistant -Office of Enrollment Management
It was my freshman year. I was standing at the bus stop when I first saw Markel Mazelin. He had a tall high-top fade haircut and was wearing a pair of really bright and funky sneakers. The very next day, I saw him again and I wasn't surprised because six months later, Markel and I became "Bess Frans."
Since then, we developed a bond. It was broken one time–I'm pretty sure it was my fault, and I can't even remember what happened. However, we did become friends again, thank God. Markel has taught me so much in so little time. Our conversations were always really deep and always intriguing, never forced.
One day we spent the whole night watching documentaries about Jamaica, fashion and even vogue dancing. He used to tell me about his plans and would include me in them as a way of helping the both of us "Meet the Mark."
The Thursday before he passed, he called me to ask for help about this event he wanted to put on at the university. Even though I didn't get too much detail on the plan, I'm currently working to fulfill the idea in his memory.
When I found out my “bess” passed all I did was cry. I called him to see if it was just a hoax. I never had a close friend of mine pass on so young. I still get sad, but I've grown a comfort knowing that “bess” is now closer to us than ever before.
He's my guardian angel. The fact that I have a face, voice and personality to match with someone in heaven truly makes me feel better about life. I'm so proud of him for making such a grand impact to so many people in so many different ways.
He's still teaching me things, like how to be more sensitive to people and how to strengthen my relationship with God.
Markel is my Tupac. He's my Biggie Smalls. He's a legend and I will forever be grateful to have met such a classic man. Thanks, bess, for everything.
Mouzon Henderson, Third Year Architecture and Business Administration Major
Through my three years of having the pleasure of knowing Quinton, from endless road trips to the Gibbs Hall days, I never saw him in a bad mood.
He was the life of the party, no matter the environment. It seemed like Quinton was immune to bad days and sadness, but would be the first one to admit that he was human.
Quinton had a way of making you feel the same joy he felt, and he could do it effortlessly, by constantly wearing a smile or telling friendly jokes. His personality was addictive and he made friends everywhere we went with ease.
With charisma that most people dreamt about, Quinton also had an undaunted determination about himself, but with the right amount of humility to heed wise counsel.
If he said he was going to do something, it was in your best interest to believe him and believe in him.
I lost my friend and his absence will be felt through FAMU. A true Rattler in every sense of the word, rest in peace Quinton "White Boy Q" Langford. We love you.
Quinton (left) Darryl (center)
Darryl Darby, Fourth year Broadcast Journalism Major
Quinton was a very bright individual. When I first met Quinton I could tell there was something different about him, other than of course the fact that he was a white male at an HBCU.
Something different in the fact that he seemed to have "it.” “It” can be a number of different things, and "it" is probably the single most important intangible quality a person can have. “It” can't really be can’t be summed up in one sentence, but I can tell you he was destined for greatness.
Quinton was multi-talented. He had a passion for carpentry, and built things like tables and dressers. He carved his favorite sports teams, Orlando Magic, Miami Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Rays and the Buccaneers into a table that we all used at our apartment.
He also knew a little about cars. He was the one that helped me figure out that I needed a new motor mount for my engine. But that wasn't it.
Quinton had plans on becoming head of a construction company one day. That's all he would really talk about. We would be driving down the interstate on one of our many road trips and he would say, "The construction of this highway makes no sense. Why would you have a four-lane highway in the middle of nowhere.”
Quinton was a dependable friend. There is nothing he wouldn't do for us. When Lance didn't have a car, and missed the bus, Q was there to pick him up. When I got into a car accident, Q was there to pick me up, and tell me I'll bounce back. When Kwadwo needed a ride to the car rental place to get to Gainesville, Quinton took him. When Marcus needed help on what car to get, Quinton helped him.
Anytime you called on Quinton you could count on him being there. He was as reliable as his Honda Civic that got us to so many of our road trip destinations.
Quinton touched a multitude of hearts, far and near. Prior to college, Q hadn’t traveled to many places. We dedicated our free time and extra resources to traveling and experiencing new cities, states, colleges, and building our network through the country. Q was developing a strong passion for travel.
A key person of our travel crew is missing, and this is obviously not an easy time. But once Lance is well, our wounds heal, and we resume our travels, we always know we will have an angel watching over us on the highways and byways. I love you Quinton. #LongLiveWhiteBoyQ