It is rare that in a life of only 23 years, a person can touch so many individuals and leave a legacy among family, friends, and colleagues. Members of Sarah Kasunić’s family at BC3 are in shock and mourning at her untimely passing. She was an outstanding student at the College – a Presidential Scholar, President and Vice President of the Rho Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and a 2016 graduate of the Nursing Program. At the time of her passing, she was living her dream as a traveling nurse in Knoxville, Tennessee and pursuing her bachelor’s degree.
When she was President of Phi Theta Kappa, Sarah traveled to the 2016 NerdNation Conference in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the accomplishments of the chapter which she took to the next level moving it from a two-star to a four-star chapter in just one year. I had the pleasure of attending this conference with the students and could tell right away that Sarah was the catalyst behind this energy and change.
In November, she reached out to her former advisor to see if Phi Theta Kappa was going to the national conference this year and just last month made a donation to pay half of the registration fees for the four students attending. Because she had such a wonderful experience, she wanted to “pay it forward” and do the same for others. The Middle States Region will recognize Sarah with a moment of silence at the regional meeting and honor her as they attend the PTK Catalyst Conference next week in Orlando, FL because of her generosity.
So many hearts are heavy, from Sarah’s former faculty, the administration, to current and former students; we are overwhelmed by this incredible loss. We can’t imagine what her family is going through and extend our deepest condolences. However, we are grateful that she graced the BC3 campus with her warmth and friendship – a shining star that burned so brightly. She will always be remembered.
