Michigan’s Goshen College was left in mourning this past weekend after one of its athletes lost his life due to a car accident.
Student remembered as “an important part of our campus community”
According to WSBT 22, Kenyan sophomore nursing student and cross-country runner Ezra Kogei passed away on Saturday due to injuries he sustained in a crash five days earlier.
Goshen College put out a statement on Sunday announcing “with deep sadness” Kogei’s death at South Bend Memorial Hospital.
Gilberto Perez Jr. serves as vice president for student life and dean of students at Goshen College, and he expressed sadness over Kogei’s passing.
“Ezra was only a Goshen College student for a short period of time, but had already become an important part of our campus community,” Perez was quoted as saying.
“He will be deeply missed,” the school administrator continued, adding, “Our hearts and prayers go out to all of Ezra’s family and friends, who loved him dearly.”
Rustin Nyce was Kogei’s coach and he spoke up as well, saying that the student “quickly became an integral member of our cross country team and campus” who “expressed a desire to be seen as the person he was.”
“He was a wonderful storyteller, easy to get along with and had an infectious smile,” Nyce recalled. “Ezra loved being at Goshen and mentioned often that he was so thankful for his new community.”
Coach says Kogei “helped create: a vibrant, joyful and thriving community”
“He ran with his friends, engaged in deeply meaningful conversations and was quick to accept any meal invitation that came his way,” the coach said.
Nyce went on to characterize Kogei as “a blessing” who “came to us in search of what he quickly helped create: a vibrant, joyful and thriving community.”
“He encouraged us to be passionate and to chase our dreams, because we just might catch them. Ezra will continue to run in our hearts,” Nyce concluded.
Kogei said in his athletic bio that he decided to attend Goshen after it was recommended by a “childhood friend” who went there “spoke so fondly of the community around campus.”