Spring Break
Beloved Drexel freshman passes
Alexa Bonacquisti
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: News
Adonis Smith, a freshman student in the College of Engineering, died in the early morning hours of Feb. 23.
The 18-year-old Smith was playing a game of flag football on Buckley Field around midnight on Feb. 22 when he collapsed. According to David Ruth, dean of students, Smith was having seizures and was transported to Hahnemann University Hospital via ambulance. He died around 3 a.m.
"I am proud of how our students reacted in the midst of the tragic death of Adonis Smith," Ruth said. "A group of students escorted Adonis to the hospital and stayed with him. It was only when doctors told them to go home that they left."
Smith, who grew up in Edison, N.J., was a mechanical engineering and mechanics major who lived in Towers Hall.
Smith is deeply mourned by his family and friends, and he forged many close relationships during his short time at the University.
"He was more than a friend, but a brother to me," said David Mercado, a freshman majoring in psychology. "I can't remember ever disagreeing or having one fight with Adonis. He really was my best friend in the entire world."
Mercado has fond memories of the hours he and Smith spent hanging out on weekends, working out in the gym together and playing video games.
His friends also remember him as being happy and having the ability to make everyone around him smile.
"Over the last two weeks, Adonis decided to rush an all-Latino fraternity, Gamma Phi Sigma, and his attitude and personality gained the respect and acceptance of every Gamma that he talked to," Mercado said.
"His personality brought out the best in everyone," said Molly Jimenez, a freshman psychology major and one of Smith's close friends at the University. Jimenez recounted memories of watching intramural flag football games with Smith, and meeting him the summer before coming to college and deciding that they would be "exploring partners," since neither of them had ever explored Philadelphia before.
The 18-year-old Smith was playing a game of flag football on Buckley Field around midnight on Feb. 22 when he collapsed. According to David Ruth, dean of students, Smith was having seizures and was transported to Hahnemann University Hospital via ambulance. He died around 3 a.m.
"I am proud of how our students reacted in the midst of the tragic death of Adonis Smith," Ruth said. "A group of students escorted Adonis to the hospital and stayed with him. It was only when doctors told them to go home that they left."
Smith, who grew up in Edison, N.J., was a mechanical engineering and mechanics major who lived in Towers Hall.
Smith is deeply mourned by his family and friends, and he forged many close relationships during his short time at the University.
"He was more than a friend, but a brother to me," said David Mercado, a freshman majoring in psychology. "I can't remember ever disagreeing or having one fight with Adonis. He really was my best friend in the entire world."
Mercado has fond memories of the hours he and Smith spent hanging out on weekends, working out in the gym together and playing video games.
His friends also remember him as being happy and having the ability to make everyone around him smile.
"Over the last two weeks, Adonis decided to rush an all-Latino fraternity, Gamma Phi Sigma, and his attitude and personality gained the respect and acceptance of every Gamma that he talked to," Mercado said.
"His personality brought out the best in everyone," said Molly Jimenez, a freshman psychology major and one of Smith's close friends at the University. Jimenez recounted memories of watching intramural flag football games with Smith, and meeting him the summer before coming to college and deciding that they would be "exploring partners," since neither of them had ever explored Philadelphia before.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Valarie Curtis
posted 3/07/07 @ 10:49 PM EST
Thanks so much to the Drexel Family for their outpouring of love and kindness expressed to our family during our time of loss. You have touched our hearts in such a special way in celebrating Adonis and the way he lived. (Continued…)
Passion Chatham
posted 3/02/09 @ 12:54 PM EST
baby i miss u so much and i think about u 24/7 you will always remain in my heart and forever will be my boo love always baby girl
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