Southern Adventist University Remembers Student Killed on Mission Field

Southern Adventist University remembers a student murdered on the mission field.

Twenty year old Kirsten Wolcott was killed last month on an island in Micronesia.

Wedensday a memorial service in her honor brought friends and schoolmates together in Collegedale.

With music, scriptures and fond memories teachers and friends remember, reflect and grieve for Kirsten Wolcott.

Dr. Krystal Bishop, Director of Teaching Education, "When I first met her that evening I went up and started talking to her and I sent her an email after that and I said you seem so sincere but as I got to know her she was playful and fun loving yet professional and poised."

The 20 year old got murdered November 18th while jogging along this road on the Island of Yap in Micronesia.

She'd taken a year off from Southern to teach second grade as one of 100 student missionaries from the college.

Lorraine Rollins, Student Missionary, "It was so close to home because I was in the islands as well and I went jogging a lot my myself. I did it during the day time. It could've happened to me. It could've happened to any of us."

Her murder stunned students and faculty here and abroad.

It's the first time for such a tragedy in Yap which sees a murder only every 3 or 4 years.

The memorial service sought to bring a hurting campus together.. Rebecca Wong, Friend, "I think it's a healing moment for us as students and faculty for everyone to come together and to acknowledge her life and have her life resonate in ours."

and inspire those attending to continue the work that Kirsten started.

A memorial fund has been set up in Kirsten's name for Christian Education and Student Missionaries.

Mail contributions to:
Kirsten Elisabeth Wolcott Memorial Fund
c/o Tappahannock SDA Church
PO Box 1106
Tappahannock, VA, 22560