HAMILTON - Hundreds of friends, tenants, students, community leaders and fellow professors formed a standing-room-only crowd Wednesday at Miami University-Hamilton to pay tribute to slain professor Sherry Lee Corbett.

        People told stories of the many sides of Dr. Corbett, 55, who was known throughout the community for being the mastermind behind refurbishing the Dayton Lane Historic Area.

        “There will be emptiness in the Dayton Lane District that will last for years,” Hamilton Mayor Don Ryan said. “Sherry is truly a legend.”

        Outside of the memorial, which was held on campus at the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center, gatherers looked at pictures and newspaper clippings that in many ways told the story of Dr. Corbett's life.

        Dr. Corbett died Saturday after being shot five times. Police have charged Tonda Lynn Ansley, 36, of Hamilton, with aggravated murder and two counts of carrying concealed weapons

        Dr. Corbett taught sociology, criminology and gerontology since joining the university in the 1970s.

        James Garland, president of the university, told mourners he didn't know Dr. Corbett, but viewed her as a community leader after teaching for 28 years. “Miami University has lost one of our family members,” he said.

        He came across unsolicited letters from students and shared excerpts at the memorial. “There was never a moment when you didn't have time for me or someone else,” a 1999 graduate wrote.

        Before reading a poem, former tenant and long-time friend Jim Megginson said he wishes he could wave his “arm and those doors would open in the back and Sherry Corbett would come down that aisle.”

        Later in the memorial, several gatherers took to their feet for a dance in honor of Dr. Corbett, who was an avid dancer. The tune: the pop song “Love Potion No. 9.”

        Friends say they hope to fulfill at least one of the professor's dreams by creating a fountain in the Campbell Avenue Park near her home. They are collecting donations to build a fountain with water turned by the wheel of an old-style bicycle.

        Donations can be made to: Sherry Corbett Fountain Fund, 319 N. 3rd St., Hamilton, 45011.

        Funeral arrangements are set for Greencastle, Pa. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Friday, at Zimmerman & Son Funeral Home, 45 South Carlisle St., (717) 597-2828.

        The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Assembly of God Church.

Sources: Corbett suspect confessed
Butler property tax bills go higher
High court OKs name change for two women
Chabot challenger takes stand against urban sprawl
Heat alert on (But you probably guessed that)
Many called, few chosen for airport screener openings
Mt. Healthy schools on ballot
Obituary: Robert Hall Jr. was known for landscaping and beautification
Tristate A.M. Report
Two officers await arraignment
Two schools to add health centers
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Media watch
RADEL: The Queen City's King
Campus minister faces porn charge
Clermont upset by coroner
Hundreds honor slain professor
Maineville might soon cease to be
Release denied for woman convicted of faking rapes
Verdict due in rape trial of ex-deputy
Bean there, done that? Not for him
For him, she really was 'Grandma Moses'
Scaled-down farms perfect fit for women
Taft scheduled to sign Ohio's anti-spam bill today
Technicians stay busy keeping COSI exhibits running
12th Street gets new attention
CROWLEY: Kentucky politics
Kentucky News Briefs
Ky. tax amnesty program offered through Sept. 30
Sleep Out Louie's saloon set for launch
Southgate names acting police chief