Going the Extra Mile

BY JENNY WEATHERHOLTZ

JAMIE LOVE AND FRIENDS SCHOLARSHIP

Jamie Love was a junior studying Mechanical Engineering and member of the varsity cross-country and track teams at UVM when he tragically passed away in 2013. But his family wants his death to serve as a reminder of his life. A life he lived to the fullest every day—taking advantage of the College’s excellent engineering education and Vermont’s abundant hiking and biking trails, working at Ski Rack in downtown Burlington and supporting his classmates and teammates with his compassion and quiet strength.

To honor Jamie, his family and friends have generously donated to establish a scholarship that will reward a junior or senior engineering student who exemplifies Jamie’s zest for life, compassion for others, love of the outdoors, and who is a positive team player. Jamie enjoyed studying engineering to learn about how things work, and to bring the practical application of that knowledge to help solve issues relevant to his and others’ active lifestyles. By way of example - while studying fluid dynamics he was excited to connect his studies with his interest in mountain bike shock absorbers, and in materials class, he made the connection to snowboard binding design. And he wanted to develop safer and lighter helmets for snowboarding. His passions in life transcended inside or outside of the classroom—he strived to constantly learn, consistently improve—one day, one lesson at a time. And that is a passion he inspired in those around him with a competitive spirit that pushed others to bring their best but also a strong sense of compassion to let classmates, teammates and friends know how much he cared.

What would his family want all students (and especially the scholarship recipients) to know about Jamie? To remember that life is fragile and to appreciate every moment for what it is—an opportunity. Work hard, don’t get discouraged, and go the extra mile in school, sports, and friendships. Find your passions, stay focused, volunteer to help others, appreciate nature and enjoy the outdoors, and always be determined to improve yourself and the world around you. Jamie truly loved learning and enjoyed team-based projects in the lab or with a study group. He appreciated the discipline of running, but truly loved the camaraderie of fellow athletes and was especially happy when he ran with a relay team. Time off from school and track was packed with running, mountain bike races, exploring new areas of Vermont and events with a cause like the Burlington Great Turkey Chase that benefited the Chittenden Food Shelf.

Jamie combined his passion for life and sports with a pursuit of academic excellence and found a community in the College. Joan Rosebush, Senior Lecturer and Director of Student Success in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics remembers him as a sincere and dedicated student-athlete. “Jamie knew what mattered and worked hard to keep balance in his life—juggling academics, athletics and college life with a smile. He valued his family and friendships highly and would move mountains to help a family member, friend, or classmate who needed him.”