Kathryn Anne Scott '06 died as a result of a car crash in New Hampshire over fall break.
Scott was alone in the car at the time of the crash on Monday evening. Soon afterwards she was taken to Elliot Hospital in Manchester and succumbed to serious injuries the next morning.
"Students who knew her have described Katie as a lovely woman," said Dean of Student Affairs Craig W. Bradley in an email to all students and faculty Thursday morning. "Katie made a number of contributions during her years at Bowdoin."
Scott's car hit a tree 100 feet off of an I-93 northbound lane in Londonderry according to the New Hampshire State Police Troop-B Milford Barracks. While not citing any specific evidence, the police report said, "Alcohol and speed appear to be contributing factors to the crash." (UPDATE, May 19, 2006: Investigating officer Robert Lima told the Orient that subsequent tests indicated that Scott was not under the influence of alchohol or drugs.)
No one else was injured by the crash.
The Orient was unable to speak with crash investigator Trooper Robert Lima despite repeated phone calls.
Scott spent last spring studying at Edinburgh University and had been on leave from Bowdoin since September.
An English major and education minor, Scott worked at Hatch Library and was a leader in the Asian Students Association, "a role she found to be personally meaningful," according to Bradley. "She danced as part of the hip-hop club, Obvious, and she performed in the Vagina Monologues in 2004," he said.
According to Bradley, students described her as someone "who was often reserved but could also be a 'fearless' creative spirit in dance and drama."
Scott served as the Back Page Calendar Editor for the Orient for three semesters.
"To convey the loss of a best friend is difficult enough, but to describe Katie's true personality is even harder," said Becky Crimmin, a Mount Holyoke senior who spent a semester at Bowdoin and knew Scott since junior high school.
"For those Bowdoinites that never knew Katie's character," Crimmin continued, "she had a dry wit that would show itself at the oddest times...Katie's creative side was demonstrated in her class choices, her involvement in theater, her photographic skills, and her love of dance, both choreographed hip-hop and her spirited freestyle at parties and with friends."
"Katie was loved. She will stay with us in our hearts and memories always," she said.
Bowdoin Student Government President DeRay Mckesson '07 said, "This is a sad moment for the entire Bowdoin family. Katie will always be a part of this family and I trust that memories of her will live on in the hearts of us all."
Fariha Mahmud '06 and Keerthi Sugumaran '06, who worked with Scott through Bowdoin's Asian Students Association (ASA), shared Mckesson's grief.
"Katie was a quiet and unassuming person, yet full of life. She demonstrated a unique zeal for the activities that she was involved with... Her warm presence and talents will be missed by not only ASA, but by all that knew her," they said in a joint statement to the Orient.
Maggie O'Mara '06, who danced with Scott, remembered her in similar regards.
"She was an amazing dancer, one of those people you look at and say to yourself, 'wow that girl is very talented.' I remember her as a hard worker and she always came to dance practice with a smile on her face," said O'Mara.
"My dearest memories are the late night [conversations] where we would contemplate the meaning of life and our futures, all while eating sushi and Korean noodles," said Scott's first-year roommate Elizabeth Mengesha '06. "As a senior, I had looked forward to graduating with Katie and seeing her achieve success in her future endeavors."
Carla Cambiasso '06 told the Orient, "She was a dancer, an artist, and most of all a fellow friend with whom to question the world."
"Katie was reserved and made everything she said valuable. Her words were precious and her voice was strong," she said.
There was a gathering last night in the Peucinian Room of Sills Hall for those wanting to talk about Scott's passing.
Bradley noted that members of the Counseling Service staff, the Office of Student Affairs, and Residential Life are available any time of day.
A memorial service will be held for Scott on Sunday, October 16 at 2 p.m. at the Acton Congregational Church, located at 12 Concord Rd. in Acton, Massachusetts.
As noted in Bradley's email, the family suggests gifts in memory of Scott to either the Bowdoin Scholarship Fund or the American Cancer Society. Expressions of condolences may be sent to Scott's father, Dr. Herman Scott and her brother and sister, Jason and Jenna, at 8 Highland Rd., Acton, MA 01720-2049.
The College will make an announcement about a campus memorial service once plans are in place.
Said Cambiasso, "Katie was one of Bowdoin's best kept secrets. Katie shared experiences and insight that make me feel special for having known her."
James D. Baumberger contributed to this report.