Debra S. Newman, a student at the Washington University School of Law, died October 1, 2002, from head injuries sustained after being hit by a car on the evening of Tuesday, September 24. Newman was hit while jogging on Forsyth Boulevard near the intersection of Big Bend Boulevard. She was 22.
Newman was a graduate of the Cornell University School of Industrial Relations and had come to WU this fall, as a first-year law student. Though she had only been attending WU for about six weeks at the time of her death, her fellow students remember her lovingly.
“I think Debra had a very positive influence on everyone she came into contact with,” said Sarah Schneider, a classmate of Newman’s in the School of Law. “She was hope for the future, intelligence, and charisma personified. She was a true friend to all who loved her.”
Newman is not only remembered as a good friend, but also as an excellent worker. As a freshman in college, Newman worked under Roxanne Edsall, the administrative assistant in the student activities office at Cornell University.
“I felt that Debra was the most outstanding worker I have ever had in my office. She was always anxious for new projects,” said Edsall.
Edsall felt that Newman was not only hard working, but driven by a specific aspiration.
“She always thought she could change the world, make it a better place,” said Edsall.
Linda Reynolds, a member of the dean’s student staff, was another of Newman’s employers at Cornell. She believes that Newman did accomplish her goal.
“She did change the world,” said Reynolds, “She touched a lot of people.”
In addition, her former employers were impressed with the way that Newman managed her time and organized her priorities.
“Debra always had time to be involved in her student activities. She could have three prelims in one day, write two papers that night, and still have time for her friends and activities,” said Edsall, “It isn’t often that you find a student who can manage her time and still be such an exceptional student.”
Newman was involved in a multitude of activities during her time at both Cornell and WU. While at Cornell, she volunteered time at the Women’s Resource Center by being an active member of the advisory board, she was the president of the Chi Omega sorority, served on the Campus Relations Committee, and was a member of the Panhellenic Association and Cornell’s Hillel.
Her father, Howard Newman, said that even in her short period of time at WU, Newman managed to participate in several groups on campus. She was the vice president of Campus Affairs, and was part of the Women’s Caucus and Jewish Law Students organizations.
Newman is survived by her two parents, Howard and Anne Newman, who live in Yonkers, N.Y. She also leaves behind her grandfather, Louis Solomon, and aunt, Sharon Solomon.
Donations can be sent to the Debra Newman Memorial Fund, c/o Temple Beth Shalom, 740 N. Broadway, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706. This is the synagogue her family attends and is where a memorial fund for Newman is being established. These contributions will go to support Newman’s interests.