By: Lily Mutai
A deceased individual was discovered near Southern Adventist University’s wilderness system, prompting concern among students, particularly those who often use the paths for research and recreation.
Jamie Heath, assistant chief of the Collegedale Police Department, said the discovery, made on Sept. 12, is still under investigation. The police department was unable to offer any further comments.
According to the university, the person who died was not a student or faculty member, and there was no evidence of a threat to the campus.
On Friday, Sept. 19, during an evening vespers service, Associate Chaplain Anna Bennet announced the discovery to the student body. Gasps echoed throughout the congregation as many students reacted with shock..
Winding through the forests behind campus, the campus trails are rarely empty. Students and community members use them for hiking and recreation. The Biology and Allied Health Department depends on the trails for practicing their studies.
Keith Synder, a biology professor and the department chair, explained the close relationship of the Biology and Allied Health Department and the trails in an email to the Accent.
“We use them for research on the animals and plants,” Snyder stated. “This includes classes such as Medicinal Plants, Entomology, Ornithology, Genetics and several research projects.”
Heaven Robles, a junior biology research major, has conducted research on the trails and volunteered to help clear the area during Southern’s Martin Luther King Jr. community service day.
“The biology trails to a degree are a sense of pride,” Robles said. “A lot of us research students actually have a few projects where we collect data through the trail paths.”
Since the body was found, biology students have had conflicting feelings about the safety of the trails. Robles said that the event is still on her mind and has put her and her peers in a state of unease. As a result, she has changed her trail-treading routine.
“Now, in case I need a walk, I’ll ask my roommate to join, or we will leave in groups,” Robles said.
Nadia Cortes, a sophomore biomedical major, said her fears diminished after students received a campus-wide email from Dennis Negrón, vice president for Student Development, on behalf of Southern’s president, Ken Shaw. The email stated that the death posed no threat to campus. However, similar to Robles, Cortes remains cautious.
“I definitely would not go to the trails by myself, as I am not completely sure what happened and what was found on the trails,” said Cortes.
According to Cortes, the university has provided support tools to help students cope with the event.
“They provided counselors for people to talk with after vespers when the death was announced,” explained Cortes.
In an email from Negrón to the campus, he urged other students to reach out to a residence hall dean if they needed someone to talk to.
Amy Ortiz-Moretta, director of Student Support Services, said Southern offers several free mental health resources, including Uwill teletherapy, the TalkCampus peer support app and on-campus counseling in Bietz Center. She encouraged students to reach out for help, noting that support is available 24/7.
Looking forward, Cortes predicts an impact on learning, specifically on research and events that will take place on the trails.
“Death is unsettling, and it may lead to differences in how we approach the trails and outdoor learning,” said Cortes. “We may seek to be safer and encourage group learning.”
Despite the tragedy, students say the trails remain a place of peace and connection.
“These paths provide a sense of comfort and silence with nature that provides a reset after a long set of exams or a busy day [and allow] just a moment to hear God’s voice,” Robles said. “Throughout my college experience, taking a small walk is my favorite study break, and the biology trails provide that reset some of us desperately need.”
