ALLENDALE, Mich. — Grand Valley State University students held a candlelight vigil Wednesday in memory of a student who was found dead on campus Saturday.
Taylor DeRosa was a first-year student from Royal Oak. Her body was found by a runner near the intramural fields on campus. Police are still investigating the incident and are calling her death “suspicious.”
DeRosa was honored during the vigil Wednesday at the Cook Carillon Tower. More than 100 students gathered and some of her friends say she will be missed greatly.
"Taylor had such a spirit that she, she made an impact on everyone that met her, she was the type of person that stood up for what she believed in and she would listen to anybody," says McKenna Speed.
“Tragedies have a way of focusing our attention to what matters most – the people around us,” said GVSU President Philomena Mantella. “Keep the student’s family in your thoughts and offer your help and support to those who need it.”
A GoFundMe page has also been created to raise funds for DeRosa’s memorial.
“We lost our beautiful, strong, courageous, smart and sweet Taylor far too soon,” the page reads. “Taylor lived a passionate, involved life as an advocate for gun control, Black Lives Matter, women’s rights and a host of other organizations and movements that supported human equality, fairness and truth. Taylor’s smile was illuminating, and her warmth, friendliness and humor brought joy to everyone who knew her.”
Just hours after it was created, the fundraiser’s goal of $20,000 was surpassed. According to the page, the money will go towards “the burden of funeral costs and time off work. Any excess money will be donated to a fund near to Taylor’s heart.”
Donations to the GoFundMe page can be made here.
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