Senior Jeremy Bennett of Alexandria, Va. passed away last weekend in Northern Virginia, as per an email sent out on March 8 by President Taylor Reveley IV.
The family requests their privacy while they finalize the details of his passing. Right now, the cause of death has not been disclosed to The Rotunda.
“The phone call informing me of his death may be the most deafening thing I have ever heard. Bennett was one of my closest friends,” said senior Ian Douglas, a close friend of Bennett’s. “It’s a heavy tragedy that he has passed.”
“He was one of my favorite students, and I cannot believe he will not be sitting in class on Tuesday. My heart is broken,” said Dr. Melanie Marks, Bennett’s adviser and professor.
Bennett was a business administration major with an interest in international business, fiscal policy and economics, wanting to travel the world and go overseas to practice accounting, according to girlfriend Shannon Lindemann ‘15.
Close friend and senior Darrius Christian described Bennett as having a comforting energy that made everyone around him happy.
Christian, Douglas and Lindemann remember Bennett’s laugh as “contagious” and “infectious” and the memory of it will stay with them.
“He was always the first to find humor in any situation, and when there was no humor in any situation, he upheld the banner of optimism for the future,” said Douglas.
Bennett was not involved in any co-curricular organizations. Lindemann explained that it was difficult for him to place allegiance in any one group when he knew everyone. Instead, he chose to be unaffiliated.
All his friends were quick to note that Bennett was a great friend to not only them, but everyone they knew, which they are sure will leave an impact on the Lancer community.
Douglas noted that Bennett never judged another person. Senior Dylan Van Balen, another close friend, added that Bennett was always around to help a friend in need, and he was always honest.
“There are not many people like Jeremy Bennett, he was definitely one of a kind and he will be truly missed,” said Van Balen.
A candlelight vigil is being organized on campus in the upcoming weeks, in which everyone is invited to come pay their respects to Bennett.
Continue to follow The Rotunda for an updated and extended story on March 20.
