Georgetown University loses student in Ethiopian Airlines plane crash

by Evelyn Dan Epelle

Washington DC – Ethiopian Airlines jet – a Boeing 737 Max 8, faltered and crashed shortly after takeoff from the country’s capital, spreading grief to families in 35 countries, who had a loved one among the 157 people that were killed.

Around the world, families, and communities were gripped by grief and now thrown into mourning. At Georgetown University Washington DC, Executive Vice President and Dean at Georgetown Law, William Treanor, broke the news of the passing of one its own; “With a heavy heart, we write to share the terrible news that Cedric Asiavugwa, a third-year student at Georgetown Law, a member of Georgetown University’s Campus Ministry and Residential Minister on the second floor of New South, died in the tragic crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ‪ET302 near Addis Ababa”. The Georgetown community, together with the families of 8 other US nationals, now join the rest of the world in grief.

“We realize how difficult this news is for members of our community. Georgetown University Campus Ministry is in touch with Cedric’s family and is offering any support we can provide at this difficult time” says Rev. Mark Bosco, S.J., Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Georgetown University.

Cedric, born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya, graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a B.A. in Philosophy having the highest honors. His commitment to issues of social justice, especially serving refugees and other marginalized groups, led him to Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania before coming to Georgetown where he was pursuing a joint J.D. – LL. M Degree in International Business and Economic Law.

He is now remembered by his friends and faculty as “a kind, compassionate and gentle soul, known for his beautifully warm and infectious smile”.

Although African air travel has improved in recent years, the ill-fated flight now interrupts two years of calm in the African skies, where no fatalities have been recorded on any aircraft type.

It also comes as a hit to state-owned Ethiopian Airlines, the continent’s largest and best-managed carrier, as all 157 people aboard the airliner perished soon after taking off at 8:44 A.M local time on Sunday morning from Addis en route to Nairobi, Kenya.

The circumstance leading to the cause of this crash is unknown at this time, as Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde GebreMariam told reporters that “the plane is now right inside the ground” and it was “not possible to identify whether it was an emergency landing or a crash”.We realize how difficult this news is for members of the Georgetown community including all the families affected by this tragedy.

Many lines have now been opened to provide support to friends and families of victims while extending thoughts and prayers to all.

In a message to the Georgetown community, Dean William Treanor encouraged students, faculty, and staff to “reach out to one another and be supportive of our community at this time”.

The airline has also put out an official statement through its social media outlets, expressing profound sympathy and condolences to the families and loved ones of passengers and crew who lost their lives in the tragic accident.