After arriving at Notre Dame Wednesday evening, Steve and Jane Sharon, the parents of missing freshman Chad Sharon, met with investigators and talked with students Thursday about their only child's disappearance.

Though the Sharons said they feel completely confident in Notre Dame Security Police's handling of the case, they wanted to talk with investigators firsthand and offer students a chance to speak with them personally. "We feel like we're really doing something," said Steve Sharon. "It's one of the biggest things we can do right now."

After meeting with investigators during the day, the Sharons talked with students before and after attending an evening mass celebrated by Father Edward Malloy at Chad Sharon's dorm, Fisher Hall. At the standing-room only mass, Chad's parents were presented with the same Notre Dame medal that is given to all incoming students. Steve and Jane Sharon said the 30 to 40 students that came forward to share their stories about Chad encouraged them. "The students are really great," said Steve Sharon. "They are behind us 100 percent."

Though the Sharons say they learned nothing new of major significance during the evening, they were very pleased by the concern students showed for their son. "We talked to someone who was at the [Corby Street] party," said Steve Sharon. "Every one of the kids cared very much."

In an attempt to focus increased media attention on their son's case, the Sharons said they would take their story to the national networks. As part of this decision, Steve and Jane Sharon appeared early this morning on Good Morning America to talk about Chad's disappearance.

The Sharons say they see no reason for their son's unexplained absence and feel confident that he will contact them when he is able. "We know that he would not do this to us and that there's something keeping him from us. He's never given us five minutes of trouble in his whole life," said Steve Sharon.

Chad's father said his son is a very responsible person and experienced in outdoor activities. Steve and Jane Sharon said their son was an outstanding student and never experienced any discipline problems. "Chad was the kind of individual that everyone looked up to," said Steve Sharon.

The Sharons say they kept in close contact with their son, who was attending the University on a full scholarship, during the last semester through phone calls and e-mail.

"I chatted with him the evening he disappeared," said Jane Sharon.

In addition, the Sharons say Chad was enjoying Notre Dame and involved in several activities, such as Scholastic Magazine and the Irish Dance Club. "It was a privilege for him to be here," said Steve Sharon.

Chad's parents say they are willing to talk with anyone and want individuals who believe their information may be insignificant to come forward. "Someone out there knows something," said Steve Sharon.

The Sharons say they completely focused on finding their son and want students to talk with them if they feel uncomfortable speaking with police. "We just want information," said Jane Sharon. "We won't hold anything against them."

Even after they depart campus today, the Sharons say students can contact NDSP and officials will connect callers with them at their Wisconsin home.

Students who knew Chad Sharon say they are as equally perplexed as his parents and do not understand their friend's disappearance. Tom Gorman, a sophomore who lives in Chad Sharon's section in Fisher Hall, said he was very focused on his studies and well-liked by residents in the dorm. "You knew he was a smart kid," said Gorman. "He has a lot of good friends [and] he is liked by everyone. He was always one to do things for everyone else before himself."

Gorman said the timing of Chad Sharon's disappearance was particularly difficult and he was very surprised when Sharon did not return for his final exams. "It was really tough when exams came," said Gorman. "I think everyone is kind of in disbelief."

Peter Nebel, a junior who also lives on Sharon's floor, said it was perfectly normal for him to attend parties after he had finished his studies. "He'd go to parties [or] he'd party here with us,' said Nebel.

Nebel said Sharon had just completed a 27 page paper and wanted to relax before beginning to study for his final exams.

Both Nebel and Gorman also clarified the rumor that Sharon had left campus without telling anyone during a previous weekend. "That needs to be clarified," said Nebel. According to Nebel and Gorman, Sharon told his roommate he would be out of town for the weekend, but actually remained in Fisher hall the entire time.

"He was with us all that night," said Gorman.

Sophomore Danita Altfillisch, who attended high school with Chad Sharon in Wisconsin and kept in touch with him at Notre Dame, said she spent many hours working on student council and National Honor Society projects with him.

"He always went the extra mile," said Altfillisch. "He was always kind and friendly."

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