By every account, David Plamondon was a smart, caring student on a path to become a tremendous success in life. When he was struck and killed by a campus bus in March, the entire UConn community grieved: hundreds of his friends held a vigil in his memory at ‘The Rock;’ his a cappella group ‘A Minor’ sang in his name; and a memorial concert was held to remember him.
Shortly after his death, several friends decided to help his legacy live forever by establishing a scholarship in his memory. The David Plamondon Memorial Fund supports UConn students who are studying physiology and neurobiology, as Plamondon did.
“He was just an amazing person; so intelligent and fun-loving,” says Aseel Eid ’12, one of Plamondon’s best friends. The two had been in classes together since their freshman year, and had almost all of the same courses in the spring semester. She recalls a time when the two studied together for an exam; when her grade was lower than his, Plamondon asked the instructor for the test back and helped coach Eid for the next exam. She says it is a perfect example of the kind of caring person he was, selflessly sharing his knowledge.
Plamondon’s roommate, Tom McGee ’12, said that Plamondon was humble about his academic success.
“David was exceedingly bright,” McGee recalls. “He just had a gift for learning; it looked so easy for him that most of us had no idea he was actually a top student. He was passionate about becoming a doctor, passionate about giving back and service, and was just kind-hearted.”
McGee traveled with Plamondon on an alternative spring break one year, volunteering at a homeless shelter in Philadelphia. He says that the creation of the scholarship fund helps him associate the tragic death of his friend with a positive movement that will help carry on what David was most passionate about.
When his friends began discussing the idea of starting the scholarship fund, Eid was originally not sold on the idea.
“It was so sensitive at the time and so tragic. But the more I thought about it, the more that I saw it was a great way to allow someone with similar character and values to be able to attend UConn and have the same opportunity that David had,” she says. “He loved UConn, loved coming back to campus each year.”
Eid says she hopes the fund provides a way for students to always remember David, and for his legacy to continue forever.
“I think people want to see his name live on,” she says. “I know I’ll never forget him. He could have done anything he wanted in life. Hopefully, the scholarship will let someone else do the same.”
To contribute to support the David Plamondon Memorial Fund, please visit: www.friends.uconn.edu/studentgiving.