Six students lost in four years
In 2019, Notre Dame lost one student. Shortly after he graduated, Chris Westdyk died June 3 after a long battle with cancer. Westdyk was very involved in his dorm, Stanford Hall, serving as a two-time Welcome Weekend ambassador, designer of the Stanford flag and a resident assistant. His friends remember his strong sense of humility and his hardworking nature. In 2022, Stanford Hall hosted a 5k race in his honor.In 2020, the tri-campus community lost four students. On Jan. 24, senior Annrose Jerry was found dead in St. Mary’s Lake after she had been reported missing three days prior. A member of the Folk Choir, her friends remember Jerry for her love of music and her selflessness.
On March 12, Saint Mary’s senior Isabelle Melchor died. Melchor was a global studies major who was deeply involved at the College. A professor remembered her as inspirational, saying Melchor was always quick to smile despite her health struggles.
On Oct. 24, two Notre Dame first-year students were killed and one sophomore was injured after being struck by a car on Ironwood Rd. shortly after 4 a.m. The two first-years were Valeria Espinel of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and Olivia Laura Rojas of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Espinel was a resident of Badin Hall and friends fondly remembered how she took advantage of every day. Rojas lived in Cavanaugh Hall and was remembered for being a loyal friend above all else.
In 2021, Notre Dame lost one student. In an email sent April 2, the University announced the death of graduate student Majd “Jude Ash” al-Shoufi. A native of the United Arab Emirates and a doctoral candidate in the psychology and peace studies departments, al-Shoufi was also a peace and human rights activist with experience working with trauma-inflicted communities and refugees.