Alexis “Lexie” Kamerman’s colleagues and friends shared laughs and tears Monday as they celebrated a life cut short by a suicide bomber in Kabul, Afghanistan, where Kamerman had traveled to help educate women.
Lexie Kamerman worked at Elon University for less than a year as an assistant director of Residence Life, but in that short time, her energy and dedication to bettering the campus community impacted the lives of countless students and colleagues.
And for many people who came to call her their friend during the 2012-13 academic year, it was no surprise last spring when Kamerman informed them how she soon would leave Elon to help educate women at the American University of Afghanistan.
That calling was cut short when Kamerman, a 27-year-old native of Chicago, was among 21 people who perished Jan. 17, 2014, in a Taliban-sponsored suicide bombing at a popular Kabul restaurant.
Dozens of Kamerman’s former colleagues and student workers in Residence Life attended a “Gathering of Friends” Monday night in the Numen Lumen Pavilion where they shared joyful stories of a dedicated woman who “wore her heart on her sleeve.”
Attendees reflected Kamerman’s commitment to resident assistants who worked for her in East Area, now known as the Historic Neighborhood. One resident assistant brought with her notes that Kamerman had given her, while others talked about the way in which she brought out the best in them and “was always so selfless.”
“This is a sad moment for our community,” said the Rev. Jan Fuller, Elon University’s chaplain. “She was very much a part of our lives. … And this is just the beginning as we live with the hole in our lives that Lexie shaped. Nothing can fill it because she’s now gone.”
Fuller encouraged those at the gathering to reach out to those in need, who “need a hug, who need to talk about this.”
“She was a fun, loving, strong person, and she was a passionate person,” said Henry Walling, assistant director of campus center operations for Elon University. “And she was one who would never judge. I considered her more of a sister than anything else.”
Smith Jackson, Elon University’s vice president for Student Life, emailed the campus after the ceremony to share how Kamerman’s mother, Ali Pohn, had thanked the university for the Gathering of Friends. The family welcomes cards, notes, pictures and stories about Lexie, which can be mailed to:
Ali Pohn
3000 N. Sheridan Road #8D
Chicago, IL 60657
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:
Knox College Scholarship in Lexie Kamerman’s name
2 E. South St. K230
Galesburg, IL 60401