Four days after commemorating the lives of nine students who passed away over the last year, members of the Penn State community gathered again in mourning. Friends and members of Phi Beta Sigma hosted a candlelight vigil Thursday night in front of the IM building to honor a graduating senior.

Student Kevin White died in a motorcycle accident Wednesday night, just 10 days before he was expected to graduate from Penn State, according to friends who gathered to mourn his death. White was a senior majoring in media studies at Penn State World Campus. He had previously attended the University Park and DuBois campuses before switching to World Campus.

While at Penn State DuBois, White played basketball for the Nittany Lions. In 2012, he returned to DuBois to play in an alumni basketball game.

At the vigil, as his friends lit their candles one by one, several of White’s closest friends spoke and shared memories of their time with him. They spoke of him as a genuine, happy-go-lucky guy who was always fun to be around. They said he was excited to graduate and move on to the next chapter of his life.

One person recalled a conversation he had with White only a few weeks earlier, where White brought up the fact that he was finally going to be walking in commencement. He was excited to have the opportunity to walk after years of hard work and dedication.

Two of his friends from Indiana University of Pennsylvania came and said they remembered White as a guy who made them laugh and always cheered them up, still remaining in contact with him through his girlfriend. They commented that even though White went to Penn State, they thought of him as an IUP student at heart, which brought laughter to the crowd.

The final speaker noted some of White’s achievements and reminded the graduating seniors who were present that they weren’t just walking themselves across the stage, they were walking for White, too.

Our hearts go out to the family and everyone who knew White. He touched the hearts of many, especially his friends and family, and will be sorely missed within the Penn State community.