Incoming freshman Lauren Astley '15 of Wayland, Mass., was killed this week in her hometown. As her family, friends and future Elon classmates mourn her loss, Smith Jackson, vice president for student life and dean of students, emailed the university community on July 6, 2011, with reflections on Astley's accomplishments and her service to the community.
His message:
The Elon University community was saddened to learn of the sudden death of incoming first-year student Lauren Astley from Wayland, Massachusetts. She was a good fit with Elon as a high achieving, well rounded student committed to improving the lives of others. At Wayland High School Lauren sang in the all female a cappella group and the Honors Concert Choir, and was captain of her varsity tennis team. For each of the past four years, Lauren helped rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Locally she worked with inner city children. She also played the French horn in the Metro-West Youth Symphony Orchestra. Lauren enjoyed creative writing with academic interests in business management and fashion design.
Her teachers, friends and family describe Lauren as having a “bright” and “spunky” personality and being excited about attending Elon. We join her family and the Wayland community as they mourn her untimely death. Lauren’s friends have set up a memorial page where tributes and remembrances may be posted; a link can be found at www.facebook.com/ElonUniversity
Smith Jackson
Vice President for Student Life
Dean of Students
Elon University