Lauren Elizabeth Lewis, senior science and math education major, loved and lived by words once sung by Dolly Parton.
"I said you'd better get to livin', givin', be willing and forgivin', cause all healing has to start with you."
Lewis died Monday after a car accident just outside of her home town of Tyler, Texas. She was 20.
Lewis, a native of Louisiana, was heavily involved on campus serving as a chair of the Freshman Leadership Development Retreat, as well as service director for Maggie's Women's Leadership Organization. In January, she was a delegate for the Memorial Student Center Abbott Family Leadership Conference. In addition to all of these commitments and her schoolwork, Lewis volunteered for HOSTS and The Lincoln Center, and was employed as a student worker at the University PLUS Frame Shop.
Shelley Maranitch, junior biomedical science major, has known Lewis since the fifth grade.
"We attended different middle schools and reconnected in high school. Little did we know that our friendship would continue through most of our college career," Maranitch said.
Over the past 10 years, Maranitch has countless memories from the friendship she and Lewis had and even more containing life lessons Lewis taught her along the way. "She has helped me understand that it's important to be comfortable with yourself so that you may be comfortable with others," Maranitch said. "She taught me not to be afraid of loving people and letting those people know that you love them."
Lewis' friends said that service and leadership by example defined her life and her actions.
"I am challenged daily to be a better daughter, sister, friend, Maggie and Aggie by the example she set in my life," said Emily Knippel, senior finance major and vice president of Maggie's.
At the end of the spring semester 2007, when Amanda Knippel, junior telecommunication media studies major, was selected to be a member of Maggie's, she and Lewis became fast friends.
"One of my favorite memories of her was my first time meeting Lauren," Knippel said. "She came barreling into my house to pick Emily [up], and found the two of us lounging in bed. Lauren quickly snuggled in between us and we all just laid there and laughed together."
Lewis never missed out on an opportunity to laugh and make the most of any situation.The things that made Lewis the person she was were her words and her actions.
"There were also so many other things people might not know about her," said close friend Julie Howington, junior nutrition major. "[Lauren] loved Ralph Lauren Polos, grilled cheese sandwiches, Taco Bell mild sauce and making family dinners. She was an animated story teller and honestly wanted to hear about your day."
Lauren had laughter that was contagious and she enjoyed, more than anything else, making others happy. On the Abbott Family Leadership Conference website, Lewis' biography page gives a glimpse of what made her the influential person who touched so many lives.
"I believe the best way to positively influence someone is to be a genuine person of character. By being a continuous, positive role model to them and loving them, they will be impacted," Lewis said.
According to Lewis, "the best invention of all time" was her prized pair of Chaco sandals. She spent a lot of time humming or listening and singing along loudly to the Across the Universe soundtrack while dancing.
Lauren Lambert, junior elementary education major and close friend of Lewis', served as this year's GLOW director for Maggie's alongside Lewis.
"Lauren was the kind of girl who would be at your house until everything was done and then would show up on campus with your favorite drink the next morning," Lambert said. "She thrived on helping others and doing anything she could to brighten someone's day."
Friend and fellow University PLUS Frame Shop employee Courtney Cooke remembers fondly the mornings she and Lewis spent working together. To Cooke, Lewis was Superwoman, capable of accomplishing in one morning what many would be lucky to accomplish in one week.
"Lauren was my person. She was the most selfless person I have ever met," Cooke said. "She has impacted my life so greatly and I will hold her in my heart forever and never forget the girl who taught me how to live."
Tonight from 10:30 p.m. until midnight in MSC 224, there will be a vigil held in Lewis's honor. All are invited to attend.
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