Campus saddened to learn of undergraduate, graduate deaths

The St. Edward’s University community mourns two students who have died within the past week.

Graduate student Kathleen “Kate” Settle Young, 31, died on Sept. 2. Undergraduate student Benton T. Ault, 20, died 4 days later due to his battle with the effects of chemotherapy.

Ault’s life will be celebrated at a service this Saturday at 11 a.m. at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston. Ault was working to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Games Studies.

A service for Young will be held tomorrow from 6-8 p.m. at Cook-Walden-Capital Parks Funeral Home and Cemetery in Pflugerville, TX. From Manor, Texas, Young was in the university’s Masters of Arts in Counseling program. 

In a statement, The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Ministry said university support is available for those who feel impacted by the deaths.

A Sept. 8 email to students and faculty, signed by Dean of Students Steven Pinkenburg and Fr. Peter Walsh, said: “Strength and support are found in community, and the Hilltopper community stands ready to support you should you need it.”