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University celebrates Eve Carson’s life

Posted on March 20, 2008March 23, 2008 by Staff

Though the tribute to Eve Carson was more about the joy of her life than the sorrow felt by her passing, emotions still ran strong. Photo by Isaac Sandlin.By Susie Dickson
Staff Writer

The atmosphere was more celebratory than tearful as thousands of students, faculty and Carolina community members came together on Tuesday to honor and say a final goodbye to UNC Student Body President Eve Carson.

Carson, an Athens, Ga. native who came to UNC as a Morehead-Cain scholar, was shot and killed in a robbery during the early morning hours of March 5. Two suspects – Demario James Atwater, 21, and Lawrence Alvin Lovette Jr., 17 – have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Police apprehended Atwater and Lovette last week after releasing photos of the suspects using Carson’s ATM card and driving what appeared to be her 2005 Toyota Highlander.

On Tuesday, people clad in Carolina blue streamed into the Dean Dome to say goodbye to their beloved friend, leader, colleague and family member. Many leaned on one another for support, but smiled as they watched a slide show and heard stories about Carson.

Chancellor Moeser charged the university to live up to Carson’s image of Carolina. Photo by Isaac Sandlin.

“Today, we are still in mourning, but we want to celebrate this special person that we knew and love,” Chancellor James Moeser said. “We honor Eve by being the university that she loved when she talked about the ‘Carolina Way.’”

Friends of Carson shared anecdotes and memories, and both laughter and tears echoed throughout the crowd.

“She was awesome, no doubt,” said Aaron Charlop-Powers, Carson’s former roommate. “I stand here before you, not because of a title, or work done abroad, but as a friend who misses her because of her imperfections.”

“She was a terrible driver,” he added. “Her plans changed with the wind.”

Charlop-Powers recalled Carson’s constant tardiness and propensity toward leaving just one bite of his ice cream in the freezer, but also her care for everyone around her.

“Her care for us, for you and me, continues,” he said. “I want to tell her not to worry; to stay concerned, but not to worry.”

Tim Reilly, Carson’s boyfriend of three years, spoke of Carson’s thirst for adventure and excitement.

“Adventure is a life well lived. It is life as Eve lived it,” he said. “Like Eve, let us have the courage to choose to be excellent … with a heart.”

Nearly everyone who spoke at the memorial mentioned Carson’s drive to better the university and the world.

“Maybe what we need to do is just work a little bit harder … to make up for what she would’ve done,” said Erskine Bowles, president of the UNC system.

Lovette has also been charged with first-degree murder and robbery in connection with the January slaying of Duke University grad student Abhijit Mahato. Because he is only 17, he is not eligible for the death penalty.

Two days before Carson was killed, Atwater showed up to court for a probation violation hearing, but the hearing never happened because of a paperwork error, according to the state Division of Community Corrections. Wake County Courts are conducting an investigation regarding the error.

Thousands gathered in the Dean Dome on Tuesday to remember Eve Carson. Photo by Isaac Sandlin.

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