Kaitlyn Lewis, News Editor
Students gathered on the Campus Green the night of Thursday, Oct. 9 and joined in a vigil to honor a fellow KSU student.
Matthew Gauvreau, 27, who was a senior at KSU studying anthropology, passed away Monday, Oct. 6. Gauvreau served as a Marine for four years and was a member of KSU Atheists United. His friends at Atheists United organized the vigil for Gauvrea’s friends and acquaintances at KSU.
“Matthew will be missed by many people both on and off campus,” said Senior Brian Clyne. “At his vigil, the people who loved him were his friends, acquaintances, and others people whom only knew of Matthew came together and spoke their heart to honor and celebrate a lost scholar and Marine.”
Clyne, who is the president of Atheists United, began the vigil sharing how Gauvreau’s life impacted him, then other students shared their own stories and memories. Clyne opened the event to friends, family, acquaintances and fellow students via Atheist’s United owl life profile.
“The university is deeply saddened any time we lose a member of our community,” said Dr. Michael Sanseviro, Dean of Student Success, who attended the vigil to honor Gauvreau. “and it is especially sad when the untimely loss deprives us of a student before he was able to fully realize his potential.”
An “Irish Wake” will be hosted in Gauvreau’s honor on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 4 p.m. at Meehan’s Public house in Georgia. Gauvreau’s cousin, Sharon Elrod, said the family would like to invite everyone, and military members should dress in uniform.
