In Memoriam: Paden Shultz

On the night of January 30, 2023, SIU lost an unforgettable soul who was loved by everyone who knew him: Paden Schultz. He was a sophomore zoology student who was very active in campus life as a member of the Marching Saluki’s, Pep Band, Dawg Pound, TRiO, and a member and mentor in the Saluki Summer Bridge program. He aspired to make a career in tiger rescue and conservation and was frequently seen talking about these large cats with many of his friends and classmates.

Paden Shultz was a friend to many and a light to all that will forever leave an impression on SIU and its students. He made countless friends during his time here and always knew how to light up a room with his fun-loving personality and unmatched humor. He would always take time out of his day to talk to someone and consistently worked to try to help others and improve any melancholy mood one might have. Despite having health issues and injuries, he never let anything keep him down and was resilient until the end.

Many of his friends and classmates have come forward to recount memories and notable feelings that will always stick to each and every one of our minds. One student who was in band with Paden says, “He always insisted on marching and participating with us regardless of his sprained ankle which put him on crutches for most of the 2022 season.”

He was seen walking around on crutches for so long that he began to decorate them in accordance with the seasons and holidays, his most notable decorations being the black Halloween themed garland wrapped around the crutches with skulls and the multicolored lights for Christmas.

“He was very dramatic and charming and always had the sassiest thing to say and knew how to make everyone laugh, he always knew how to lighten the mood,” his band mate recounted.

Another band member similarly remembers Paden’s unique and determined personality.

“When Paden was on crutches and wished to play with us but couldn’t, he still came to every practice and performance with a smile on his face and crutches decorated,” Lily [Last Name Redacted] said.

She wanted to make note that “his personality and smile could brighten anyone’s day” and he will always be remembered with a shining smile on his face.

Many others were familiar with him because of his participation in the Summer Bridge program in both years of 2021 and 2022.

“From our first encounter, I noticed that he was very cheerful, funny, spunky, sassy, and down to earth, we had classes nearly every semester and I could always count on him to make our classes more enjoyable,” Nina Davis says.

She and Paden shared many times together and “would ride bikes together to the dorms after class all the time and had many conversations about future endeavors and career interests.”

Whether or not the two had seen each other, they would always take the time to catch up and have some laughs.

“I’m so glad I was able to say my last ‘hi’ to him before he passed and he was a light to everyone he met,” Nina said.