October 14, 2009
Bowling
Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University junior Farhat Hamidullah was remembered Wednesday as a 
friend and a leader who made a difference in the lives of others.
More than 200 students, faculty, staff and administrators came together Wednesday afternoon at the Guthrie Bell Tower for a memorial service for Hamidullah, who died Oct. 7 in a traffic accident on Interstate 81 near Kingsport, Tenn.
“Farhat will be always remembered,” said Tarek Elshayeb, director of International Student and Scholar Services. “May God bless her soul and may she rest in peace.”
Hamidullah and her family escaped civil war in Afghanistan, moved to Turkmenistan and immigrated to the United States. Her family now lives in Virginia. At WKU, she worked at the ISSS Office, was a member of the WKU ambassadors’ organization the Spirit Masters and was active with the International Club, Habitat for Humanity and Invisible Children.
“She was a model for all of our students on campus,” Elshayeb said.
Jasmine Bowie said her roommate and best friend was passionate about her work as a Spirit Master and with the International Club.
“Farhat loved her school and representing it was important to her,” Bowie said.
Monique Braun, chair of the Spirit Masters, said Hamidullah took nothing for granted and had compassion for everyone. “Words alone are not enough to describe the loss of our friend,” Braun said.
Hamidullah was planning to represent the International Club as Homecoming Queen candidate next month. President Gary Ransdell said the club should continue with those plans. “Vote for Farhat. What a tribute to her that would be,” he said.
While WKU’s enrollment has grown past 20,000 students, the loss of one student still impacts the WKU family, Provost Barbara Burch said.
“Her memory has made a difference,” Dr. Burch said. “Her actions have made a difference. She is part of the fabric of this campus. We will all miss her.”
The International Club and the Office for International Student and Scholar Services are collecting donations for Hamidullah’s family to assist with funeral expenses.
More WKU news is available at http://www.wku.edu/news/index.html and at http://wkunews.wordpress.com/.
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