Furman University is a private liberal arts university in Greenville, South Carolina. It was founded in 1826 and is the oldest private institution of higher learning in the state. In April 2019, 20-year-old sophomore student Caroline Smith, a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, died after collapsing at a fraternity party on Hilton Head Island. An autopsy was performed, but the cause of death was not released. The university's president, Elizabeth Davis, offered words of consolation and announced that memorial services would be held in Greenville and Atlanta.
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Furman University student Caroline Smith died at a fraternity party
On April 6, 2019, Furman University student Caroline Smith died at a fraternity party. The 20-year-old sophomore was attending a formal event hosted by the Kappa Alpha fraternity on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. According to reports, Smith was drinking alcohol and talking to her boyfriend in a back room of a warehouse when she said she felt unwell and collapsed.
Smith's boyfriend immediately called for help and began performing CPR. Emergency medical services were called at 11:58 pm, and paramedics attended to Smith for several minutes before pronouncing her dead. The cause of death was not immediately clear, and an autopsy was performed, with results pending further analysis.
Smith was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority and was majoring in history and communications. She was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves and dreamed of becoming a sports broadcaster. Her obituary described her as a highly regarded and loved member of the Furman University community, where she was involved in various extracurricular activities.
The university president, Elizabeth Davis, offered words of consolation, acknowledging the impact of such a loss on the close-knit community. Counselors and a chaplain were made available to support students, and memorial services were planned for Greenville and Atlanta. The tragedy underscores the fragility of life and the importance of seeking help and consoling one another in times of grief.
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The cause of death was not immediately known
Smith was talking to her boyfriend in a back room of a warehouse late on Friday night when she said she didn't feel well. Moments later, she fell to the ground and was unresponsive. Smith's boyfriend yelled for help and began performing CPR until emergency medical services arrived. Paramedics attended to Smith for several minutes before pronouncing her dead.
While the exact cause of death was not immediately known, Smith's death did not appear to be the result of foul play. Investigators were working to determine whether alcohol was provided to underage guests at the party. Deputies interviewed multiple people, including Smith's older brother, who said they had been drinking but that no drugs were involved. He also said he wasn't aware of any medical issues his sister may have had.
The Furman University community was deeply impacted by the loss of one of their own. University president Elizabeth Davis offered words of consolation, reminding the community of the fragility of life and the importance of supporting one another in their grief. Memorial services were planned and counsellors and a chaplain were made available for those seeking support.
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Smith was a sophomore at the university
Smith was a sophomore at Furman University, a private liberal arts university in Greenville, South Carolina. The 20-year-old history and communications major was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority and had a brother who also attended the university. Smith was from Sandy Springs, Georgia, and was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves. She was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed running half marathons and playing soccer.
Smith died after an incident at a fraternity party on Hilton Head Island. She was drinking alcohol and talking to her boyfriend in a back room of a warehouse when she said she didn't feel well and collapsed. Her boyfriend called for help and performed CPR until emergency services arrived. Paramedics attended to Smith but were unable to revive her, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of Smith's death was not immediately clear, and an investigation was ongoing. An autopsy was performed, but the results were not yet available to the public. Furman University President Elizabeth Davis offered words of consolation, reminding the community of the fragility of life and encouraging students to seek support and console one another in their grief.
Smith's obituary described her as a highly regarded and loved member of the Furman University community and her sorority. It spoke of her love for outdoor activities, her dream of becoming a sports broadcaster, and her close relationship with her older brother. A memorial service was held at the Daniel Memorial Chapel on Furman's campus to celebrate Smith's life.
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Smith was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority
On April 6, 2019, Furman University in South Carolina confirmed the death of sophomore student Caroline Smith. The 20-year-old was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.
Smith, who was from Sandy Springs, Georgia, was a history and communications major. She was also an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves and dreamed of becoming a sports broadcaster. Her obituary described her as "highly regarded and loved by her fellow students at Furman University and in her sorority." It went on to say that she was "the perfect younger sister to her devoted and caring older brother, Ryan Smith. Caroline and her big brother Ryan were inseparable. Only 16 months apart, they were more like twins and best friends."
Smith died during a fraternity party on Hilton Head Island. She was drinking alcohol and talking to her boyfriend in a back room of a warehouse when she said she didn't feel well. Moments later, she collapsed and was unresponsive. Her boyfriend yelled for help and performed CPR until emergency services arrived, but Smith was pronounced dead by paramedics.
The cause of Smith's death was not immediately clear, with an autopsy failing to establish a definitive cause. The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred during a formal event involving members of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and other Furman students. Smith's brother, who also attended Furman, said that they had been drinking but that no drugs were involved.
Smith's death shocked the Furman University community, with university president Elizabeth Davis offering words of consolation. "As a close and caring community, such a loss impacts all of us, and we are reminded how fragile life can be," she said. "It is important that we console one another in our grief and seek help if we need it." Memorial services were planned for Greenville and Atlanta to honour Smith's life and memory.
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Smith was majoring in history and communications
On April 6, 2019, Furman University sophomore Caroline Smith died in Hilton Head, South Carolina. The cause of death was not released by authorities, but an investigation is ongoing. Smith was drinking alcohol and socialising at a fraternity party when she told her boyfriend she didn't feel well and suddenly collapsed.
Smith's decision to major in history and communications may have been influenced by her interest in sports broadcasting and her dream of becoming a sports broadcaster. Her studies in history would have provided her with a strong foundation in research, analysis, and critical thinking skills, while the communications major likely equipped her with knowledge of media, messaging, and storytelling techniques.
The communications program at Furman University likely offered Smith a range of courses that enhanced her understanding of media and its impact on society. She may have taken classes in media studies, journalism, public relations, or marketing, learning about the power of communication in shaping public opinion and influencing behaviours. These skills would have been invaluable to her future career in sports broadcasting, enabling her to effectively convey information, engage audiences, and tell compelling stories about sporting events and athletes.
Additionally, Smith's history major would have provided her with a deep understanding of the past and how it shapes the present. She would have gained research and analytical skills, learning to interpret primary and secondary sources, identify biases, and develop evidence-based arguments. By studying history, Smith would have cultivated a critical mindset, an ability to think independently, and a strong foundation for understanding complex social, political, and economic issues.
The combination of history and communications majors suggests that Smith was interested in both the humanities and social sciences, and her studies would have equipped her with a versatile skill set applicable to various careers, including sports broadcasting.
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Frequently asked questions
Caroline Smith.
Sandy Springs, Georgia.
History and Communications.
At a fraternity party on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
She collapsed and died while drinking alcohol.