Eve Marie Carson, 1985-2008

On Wednesday, March 5, 2008, in the early hours of the morning, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the world at large lost a soul whose light burned with the fierceness and warmth of a thousand suns. Eve Marie Carson, beloved daughter, sister, friend, mentor, colleague, peer, and human being, was shot and killed in an unspeakable crime that awaits resolution. Here's a press release from the university.

I found out about Eve from my sister, Sachi, who called me with the awful news this afternoon as I was heading home from class. I had about 10 minutes to digest the information before reaching my computer. It wasn't until I saw her picture on UNC's main page that the horrible, horrible truth became real for me. While I cannot claim to have known Eve Carson particularly well, we did speak on several occasions during the three years we both attended UNC.

I met Eve during an event about science hosted by the Honors Program. While I do not remember the specifics, I remember the impression Eve, just a freshman new to the university, made on me at the time. I could tell, literally in just minutes, that she was someone special and capable of a great things. It wasn't her charming smile or intelligence that made itself known the moment she opened her mouth. It was her exuberant enthusiasm to be wherever she was at the moment that really struck me. Fearless, she questioned a well-known professor about the event immediately afterward. Her actions made me wish I had been so bold the year before.

As a fellow biology major, I was lucky enough to have Eve in one of my classes, Ecology and Population Genetics (Biol 54 at the time and some other number now). Ever the engaged student, Eve asked numerous intelligent questions throughout the course. While her attentiveness to detail and willingness to challenge ideas impressed me, it clearly annoyed my professor (who I shall not name out of professional courtesy) who behaved increasingly disdainful and rude toward Eve during the course of the class. One day I remember particularly well: I was in the restroom after class and heard a girl walk in talking on her cell phone. I recognized Eve's voice immediately. I could tell she was practically in tears and no wonder given how exceptionally rude the professor had been that day. How could he have been so blind to what I could clearly see in her? That this was a young woman who would excel in everything she attempted, that she was a gem among rocks who would shine in just a short amount of time. I hated the professor for the rest of the year and have thought back on those days with lingering ire, especially since I watched how far Eve rose in the following years.

My active involvement with Hunger Lunch, now Nourish International, had diminished by the time Eve rose to prominence within that group, so I cannot comment on her accomplishments firsthand, but know that she certainly invigorated the group with an enthusiasm that she brought to everything she did.

The last conversation I had with Eve occurred my senior year during an event in which a writer and producer from the show "The Office" was giving a talk to students. The room was crowded but I managed to get a nice seat up front. Eve was in the middle of a run for Student Body President at the time which made her a very recognizable face to everyone and a major draw of attention. Just my luck, she sat down in the open seat next to me. I congratulated her on her successes to that point and thought that, poor girl, she can barely enjoy herself without dozens of people watching her every move. I asked about summer plans and the usual chit-chat given the semester was almost over. I also, to my regret, asked her what separated her from the other candidates. She had been making her case for weeks so why did I have to hear it personally? Maybe because I wanted to listen to her again, almost three years later, and see if the diamond I found before still sparkled. Maybe I wanted her to sound good for any eavesdroppers. Maybe I should have been nicer, more considerate, and treat her like a normal person instead of a candidate.

But Eve was not just another normal person: she was extraordinary in ways that cause paradigm shifts, in ways that restore one's faith in humanity, in ways that make you feel proud to have known her. A friend of mine remarked how incredible it was that her death, though one day surely her life would have too, became a cover story on CNN. How many of us, hubris aside, claim the same? Not that "CNN-making" be one's goal in life (or in death), but it should be one's goal to touch lives, be involved, make a difference, brighten at least one corner of this vast landscape we call the world in some way. To lead, inspire, teach, assist, encourage, sympathize, sacrifice...these are all things each of us can do to make the world around us just a little better, a little less dark.

The warmth and light of an extraordinary human being was cruelly extinguished this week. Eve Marie Carson, my condolences to your family and friends, and to every heart and mind you ever touched. You left an indelible impression on me, and for that I am grateful and honored. Thank you.