ATHENS, Ga. — Hundreds of students gathered at the University of Georgia on Monday to remember an aspiring nurse who they called "one of the brightest lights."
Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student, was found dead near UGA's Intramural Fields on Feb. 22 after campus police were called by a concerned friend saying she had not returned from her morning run. Authorities later ruled the death a homicide and arrested a suspect in the case.
According to officials, Riley was a UGA student through the Spring 2023 semester before she transferred to the Augusta University College of Nursing program at Athens, where she was currently enrolled as a junior and on the Dean's List. Augusta University said they are in a partnership with UGA, allowing students to participate in UGA campus activities.
Riley was also part of a sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, and she was initiated in the fall of 2020.
UGA's Alpha Chi Omega President Chloe Mullis said that Riley embodied the three words all members are asking to uphold when they pledge: wisdom, devotion and achievement.
"She exuded devotion with each and everything she did," Mullis said. "A devoted Christian, sister, student, daughter, and friend, whether it was nursing school, being the Alpha Chi Banner Chair, or the incredible runner that she was, Laken showed devotion throughout every avenue of her life. Doing something halfway was just never an option."
Mullis said Riley was devoted to making the world a better place, adding she has no doubt that Riley would have been an incredible nurse.
"This campus and our sisterhood will never be the same without Laken Riley," Mullis said.
She said while Riley was just 22 years old, her impact would last "a lifetime and beyond."
"Tell your friends that you love them. Never miss an opportunity for a sweet treat, one of Laken’s favorite pastimes, and scream the lyrics to your favorite song as loud as you can. Be kind," Mullis said, choking back tears. "Catch up with your friends and strive to be the type of person that Laken was."
During the vigil, Mullis took time to thank the community and shared her sympathies with the brothers of the Kappa Sigma fraternity on campus. Along with remembering Riley's life, students also gathered to honor a student and member of Kappa Sigma who died suddenly last week. Both were remembered with a speech and a moment of silence.
Mullis described that the campus feels 'really heavy' following the two deaths, adding that students are heartbroken because of their losses.
People have been placing flowers in remembrance over the past couple of days. Bouquets have been set near the lake, the trail, and the arch, along with bouquets presented during the vigil.
"Although the flowers in our house will fade, the visitors will slow, and we will begin classes again, our hearts will always ache without Laken," Mullis said.
Students embraced as they listened to her words, honoring the woman described as caring and driven.
"Our sisterhood is shared from far and wide, Heaven and Earth-side, and, Laken, we will love and remember you forever," Mullis ended.