Campus mourns recent grad killed in accident

Emily Dunn, 23, dedicated herself to the Washington University community as a student, and when she graduated in May, she had a bright future at SuperFly Presents, an event production company which would enable her to work in a sector she felt passionate about: the music industry.

Her vibrant life was cut short on Friday when she was struck by a bus in San Francisco, the city in which she was working.

Dunn contributed to many facets of the University community. She was a Danforth Scholar, an executive on Team 31 and a member of the Burning Kumquat.

She is fondly remembered by those who knew her.

“Emily was an amazing person with a bubbling personality, a vibrant spirit and a contagious smile. She touched so many people during her time at Washington University and she will be missed by so many of us. Emily was smart, passionate, driven and involved in so many facets of the Wash. U. community. We’ll all remember that upbeat and fun-loving attitude that she brought to Team 31,” Alex Levitt, a junior and the president of Team 31, said.

Dunn was a religious studies and environmental science major who graduated with honors. In addition to building strong friendships with her fellow students, Dunn was able to enjoy relationships with members of the faculty as well.

“Emily possessed a love for life and an enthusiasm for everything that is best described with the French phrase, ‘joie de vivre.’ When I picture Emily in my mind’s eye, I see her throwing a frisbee across the lawn outside the dining hall at Camp Miniwanca; I see her with a big smile on her face and her glasses perched on the top of her head. I also see her watching, listening and considering when part of a group but always in motion even when she was sitting still. And I can hear her voice with its tenor of passion for everything that mattered to her,” Sharon Stahl, the associate vice chancellor for students and dean of the First Year Center who worked closely with Danforth Scholars, wrote in a letter to members of the program.

Levitt, along with Amanda Sabele and Laura April, also members of Team 31, are collecting pictures of Emily and letters to her in a book, called Emily’s Book, from any student, graduate or faculty member who wants to contribute. The completed book will be presented to the Dunn family.

Materials for Emily’s Book can be sent to [email protected] or can be dropped off with Kiersten Shinrock in Room 263 of the Danforth University Center before Sept. 2.

A memorial service will be held Saturday in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. A scholarship, The Emily Dunn Memorial Fund, has been named in her honor. It will be used to facilitate International Gap Year studies.