Friends and family of Kianda Bell, an AU graduate student and community activist who was killed last month after being electrocuted, gathered at Kay Spiritual Life Center to honor and remember Bell's life.
"We never know how much a man will impact someone's life," said Shaconna Haley, a Ph.D. student in sociology and a friend of Bell's. "The ripple effect of his nature, his compassionate heart, helped so many across the world."
Bell was killed on Dec. 15, 2005 after police determined touched high voltage machinery and was electrocuted, according to the Washington Post.
Bell was born in California and throughout his school career he was involved in sports, music and debate. Bell went on to attend the UC Davis and excelled academically, according to a program passed out during the service.
Throughout his life, Bell was committed to community service and social activism. His diverse range of service included studying black feminism, poverty and other race and gender issues.
"He gave 100 percent of himself to other people, all the time," said Dr. Jami Obermeyer, and AU alumni and friend of Bell's, who spoke at the memorial.
Bell joined the department of sociology's graduate program in the fall of 2000. He had been an adjunct professor at AU for the past three years and had planned to become a full-time tenured professor.
Throughout the service, those who attended were asked not only to remember Bell, but to remember his service to others. At one point, those attending were asked to say a word aloud that described Bell. Among those descriptive words was loved, enthusiastic and passionate.
"He was always fighting, fighting for social justice," said Andrea Miller, a Ph.D. candidate who went through the graduate program with Bell. "He really believed social change could happen at that small, interactive level"
