Casey Schulman, a fourth-year student from the University of Virginia, died tragically in an accident when a boat's propeller struck her while swimming off the Caribbean island coast in Dominica. She was hit by the boat's propeller as the captain was reportedly driving the vessel in reverse.
Schulman was studying in the 'Semester at Sea' program, an opportunity to study abroad a ship, sponsored by the university. Schulman, foreign affairs major in the College of Arts & Sciences was rushed to a local hospital, where she was declared death.
"Schulman and other students had hired a boat owned by a local operator in Roseau and gone snorkeling Saturday afternoon. After they were finished, they went to a nearby beach and swam on the shore," Dominica police inspector Richmond Valentine told The Associated Press.
Schulman was among 50 other students on the boat that stopped in the Caribbean island of Dominica. The university and her teachers released a series of statements mourning her death.
"Casey Schulman's death is a cause of much sadness at the University. She was an exceptionally bright light - both in and outside the classroom - and she will long be remembered as a vibrant member of our community," said vice president and chief student affairs officer Patricia Lampkin in a press release. "We must gather together as a family to support each other in our grief and to commemorate Casey's memory."
A memorial service was held aboard the MV Explorer, the ship on which Schulman was studying during her voyage.
"She was the only person I've ever known whose smile could actually light up an entire room," said Katie Dorset, her SAS roommate and close friend from Virginia. "She was fun-loving, and so cheerful. She never had a bad day on this ship. Someone asked us once what our worst day has been so far, and we both said we didn't have one. She loved this experience so much."
"Casey radiated happiness and she spoke with clarity about issues that mattered, inside the classroom and beyond. Her sparkling eyes, her ready smile, and her always cheerful greeting made Casey a joy to be around. Seeing her always brought a smile," said Gordon Stewart, an academic dean from the University of Virginia, who worked closely with Schulman.
