On the night of Tuesday, Apr. 12, Shiv Sharma, a Longwood University sophomore, passed away during a single-car accident.
The accident occurred on Hull Street in Chesterfield, Va., approximately 40 miles from Longwood’s campus. Shiv was from Springfield, Va. and studied political science at Longwood.
In a mass email sent out to campus on Wednesday, Apr. 13, President W. Taylor Reveley IV informed students and faculty of the tragedy.
“As we hold Shiv’s family in our thoughts, please also care for one another, in the tight-knit spirit that marks the heart of our university,” stated Reveley in the announcement.
On Thursday, Apr. 14, a memorial was held in the Student Health & Wellness Center. Around 200 students and faculty attended the event to pay their respects. Two friends from his high school also attended. Multiple students spoke about their friendships with Shiv by sharing personal stories and what kind of person Shiv was.
“His positive attitude and smile could make your day,” said Matthew McGregor, the dean of Wellness.
Reveley, Dr. Tim Pierson, the vice president of Student Affairs, McGregor, Maureen J. Walls-McKay, the director of Counseling and Psychological Services and Dr. William Harbour, associate professor of Political Science, all spoke about their encounters with Shiv at the memorial service.
“It stops you from what you’re doing, what you are thinking, that everything else seems unimportant at that time,” said Pierson when he received the phone call from Larry Robertson, the dean of Students, on Tuesday night around 11:45 p.m., according to Pierson.
Casey Favor, a senior at Longwood University and also a Campus Recreation Student Supervisor stated, "Shiv changed my life. He is one of my best friends. I specifically say 'is' because even though he may have physically left us, spiritually, he is definitely still here. I still text him. I still Snapchat him (even) though he doesn't respond in the most conventional way anymore. I know he's still listening. He is missed so very dearly.”
Favor worked with Shiv since August of 2015 when Shiv came to work at the Student Health & Wellness Center. Favor mentored Shiv early on in his time at the gym, which developed a lasting bond between the two stated Favor at the recent memorial.
“(Shiv was) always a bright light over there (at the Student Health & Wellness Center)… (he was) always friendly and concerned with how your day was going,” said Pierson who is a frequent user of the Student Health & Wellness Center.
Alex James, who created a memorial fund for Shiv on gofundme.com, also shared a close friendship with Shiv when they became friends in the fall of 2014. In many ways, Shiv inspired James in the gym as they often weight-lifted together. James witnessed the weight loss journey that Shiv took since freshman year, losing approximately 130 pounds. James mentioned how he will miss Shiv’s expertise while weightlifting.
“Shiv Sharma was a guy everyone recognized on campus and someone that I am going to miss forever. It has been hard not to miss the contagious laugh and giant smile on his face. Shiv always pushed people to be the best version of themselves,” said James.
As of Tuesday, April 19, the fund had reached $4,396 with an original goal of $2,500. Donations were made by 80 people in the matter of five days.
Sharma’s memorial service was held on Sunday, April 17 in Northern Va.
