The Georgetown community mourned the loss over the summer of two recent graduates, Fatema Khimji (SFS ‘07) and Michael Jurist (SFS ‘07).
Khimji and her father died on June 19 in a car accident on the Ohio Turnpike. Jurist died on July 30 after a bolt of lightning struck him on the beach outside his family’s home in Hilton Head, S.C.
In addition to being an active member of the Muslim Student Association and the Muslim Student Living Community, Khimji’s friends described her as always suprising people and defying stereotypes.
“People would say, how does a Muslim girl raised in Akron, Ohio know so much about the Arctic Monkeys?” Minoo Razavi (SFS ‘09) said.
Hafsa Kanjwal (SFS ’08), another close friend, recalls Fatema being the first person to welcome her back to the United States after a semester abroad.
“She truly was one of those genuine, well-intentioned individuals who always made you smile when you came across her,” Kanjwal said.
“She never compromised her beliefs, but she always made everyone around her feel comfortable,” Razavi said.
Jurist was described by friends as one of the friendliest people you could meet on campus.
“He was very geniune and warm-hearted, very hardworking but still friendly guy,” close friend Rick Cella (COL ‘08) said.
“I never heard anything said about him that wasn’t outstanding. He was an exceptional person,” Jurist’s former roommate Tom Hunt (COL ‘07) said
As a leader in the Lecture Fund, Jurist spent a lot of time around important people, but never let it go to his head, friends said.
“One day, I was sitting around, watching TV, and Mike shows up in a suit and tie. He says he’s meeting up with some friends,” Hunt said. “Later, I find out these ‘friends’ included former Attorney General John Ashcroft. He always got involved with phenomenal people, but was very humble in the company that he kept.”
Several memorial services were held for each student over the summer, and friends say that discussions are in the works for another memorial service during the school year, possibly a joint event in late September.
