xtcian

Classy touch, Ian. Thank you on behalf of all Tar Heels to whom this news hit like a kick to the stomach. And for all Tigers fans in Auburn.

I hadn't heard about this. How absolutely horrifying. She was clearly a beautiful young woman, inside and out. I pray that her survivors someday will find comfort in their memories of Eve.

I'm currently a junior at UNC (we met when you & Tessa came to talk to Peter Kaufman's class last month). I first met Eve when she came to the Freshman Honors Brunch to encourage us to join the Honors Student Board. It was my second day at college and I was scared and alone and homesick, but she seemed so excited and fun. It was instantly obvious how much she loved UNC. She sold me; I applied to be on the Honors Student Board. It was the first student organization I joined here.

I got to know Eve better over the next couple years. She had this amazing ability to walk up to anyone and connect with them; after talking to you for a few minutes you already felt like she was a friend. I helped paint signs for her SBP campaign, and I was so excited when she was elected, because it was obvious how much she loved the university.

I didn't know her as well as some of my close friends did, but the news hit me hard today. It was such an unbelievably gorgeous day in Chapel Hill, it felt cruel. There should be a word stronger than "tragic" to describe events like this. What makes it all worse is knowing how amazing a person she was.

Because Eve was just as great as you imagine. Even more beautiful on the inside. Utterly delightful. Caring, passionate, genuine. Interested and interesting. Devoted to the university, as well as to humanity. She was the girl who you just know will grow up and change the world.

She was the best of all of us.

U just posted this at Inside Carolina, it was all I could come up with that mattered after reading her bio:

I am just floored by how much she has done, accomplished and been a part of; she was the total embodiment of who we want representing our school.

I never knew her; I never will, and that is a shame.

Forgot to link the bio.

http://media.www.dailytarheel.com/media/storage/paper885/news/2008/03/06/University/Message.From.The.Chancellor.And.Carson.Biography-3256452.shtml

Thanks for the link to her bio, Dan. She sure was an accomplished young person with so much promise. She was no doubt greatly loved and admired by those who knew her. It is deeply sad to think of the kind of person who took her life. So unfair, so maddeningly senseless.

A very cool photo on the front page of the N and O today... she sounded like a very special person.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/crime_safety/story/987375.html

Since I heard the news yesterday, I've been amazed at how I feel totally robbed because of the tragic loss of someone I have never even met. All I can say is that when I think about her and this horrible situation, which has pretty much been non-stop, I mainly think about her countenance - the woman simply BEAMED, and that is a BEAUTIFUL thing to see - and I KNOW that a huge reason for the excitement/energy/light that she projected was her great love for a place that means a great deal to me, as well, for reasons I can not begin to count.

Lots of us who frequent this page were fortunate enough to have been at Carolina, and to have gotten degrees from there (and I sincerely hope that Eve will be awarded her degree - there should be no question as to that). I hope that no matter where we are in our lives, we all use this opportunity to honor Eve and this place that we love by taking a moment to reflect on what we call "the Carolina Way;" what it means to us, and whether we have been reflections of it as we move throughout this world in this time that we have.

If there are ways in which we could better acknowledge the opportunity and experience that we have been so very privileged to have, let's not hesitate to do so. I didn't know Eve, but I feel certain that she would be all for this.

What a terrible tragedy! My heart goes out to her family and friends, and to all of the students and faculty at UNC.

so sad and tragic. you think your kids are safe in a picturesque setting like Chapel Hill, but this is absolute proof that their lives are all so fragile and vulnerable.

i don't see any meaning behind her death, she didn't deserve this brutal end to her life. and when i think of my own kids i hope they make as much out of however much time they have on this planet as Eve managed in her short time here.

kevin, that photo was taken two days before she died, by my old house and work-mate Tony Deifell. Check out:

http://www.wdydwyd.com/

and his book "Seeing Beyond Sight: Photographs by Blind Teenagers" (quite inspiring):

http://urlizer.com/00/2220/

Her words from the News and Observer article,"I want any excuse to work with my classmates (and help them do what they want to do ... because that's what I wanted to do)" Our Carolina family has lost a bright young star. Ian, last week you wrote of fighting complacency. It appears as if this young lady never reached a summit without turning back to help someone reach their next summit. I pray that Eve's drive to serve and help others reach their goals will be a constant source of inspiration if not kick in the ass for us to never quit striving to make a difference in the lives of others. There is no doubt that Eve's impact stretched far from her home, yet Georgia has lost an extraordinary leader. We simply must renew our commitment to help others fulfill their dreams. I offer my sympathy and gratitude to the parents who nurtured this exceptional young woman.

I, too, have been struck my how much this death of a stranger has affected me. I can't read an article without weeping. It's just so terrible and senseless. As an Athens native and UNC alum, my heart goes out to the many communities grieving this tremendous loss. Thoughts and prayers to her parents and loved ones--though that hardly seems sufficient.

[comment erased because it was bigoted and unbelievably stupid -ed.]

What does that have to do with anything?
The RNC still refuses to admit that most idiotic comments are made by angry white men. I suppose we need to start internment camps for black males. After that damn Cosby's show we just let them run around willy-nilly.

Got to love how the Internet has improved people's sense of appropriateness and overall aversion to douchebaggery.

Hi Ian. I had not yet commented, because I feel as though anything that I said would be inarticulate at best . . . and not necessarily be statements that I would want sent to Miss Carson's family. I have been reading about Miss Carson for the past two days, and her achievements are so extraordinary -- she certainly made the most of her days and lived life to its fullest. Her murder is simply heartbreaking. I can't help but wonder what could have been, and I can't begin to imagine the why or how of that night.

And yet, the police have released the "person of interest" photo, which opens the door and provides some answers re:who could do something this horrible. And I think the comments above are relevant in the sense that they reflect a visceral reaction to a tragedy like this. . . personally my mind has been swimming with thoughts about gun control, the sociology of American crime, our American society wherein a young thug can take a life and then casually attempt to withdraw money with his victim's ATM card, driving her vehicle. It sickens me and angers me. Did I take note of the young man's race? Of course I did. Just as I take note of every accused criminal who commits a heinous crime.

But what rises above it all for me is the image of this beautiful girl who meant so much to so many. My heart goes out to her family, and I pray that they can find some peace in their grieving process.

Click on my link to read an article my niece wrote about Eve Carson last year shortly after she won the Student Body president election.

I'm sorry about that racist bullshit above - it's more of the same from someone we'll be watching again. You'd think Atlanta would run out of these idiots by now.

Please leave more comments if you want to send any to the Carson family - I'm going to make a little packet and send it soon, hopefully.

I will always remember Eve's name, and as a girl who grew up in Chapel Hill, I know that she will forever be in our town's collective heart.