While trying to serve and help others, a local college student lost his life in Guatemala .
Nathaniel (Nate) Kirkland, a second-year student at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., was on a “Serve the World” trip with 17 other students and three staff members in Guatemala, working to repair adobe classroom damaged by a hurricane.
Saturday, the group went to a beach for a swim after their work was finished. When the students were leaving, Kirkland was missing, according to a letter Dickinson College President William G. Durden sent out to the Dickinson community.
Lifeguards searched for Kirkland and his body was later found on the beach by authorities, according to Philly.com.
Kirkland was a resident adviser and founder of the Multimedia Club. He graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia in 2006.
Durden noted the trip to Guatemala “was a chance for Nate to further his commitment to community service; his willingness to help others will be missed terribly.”
The other students are reported to be returning home as soon as possible. Dickinson staff will remain in Guatemala, Durden said.
The Serve the World trip is sponsored by the United Methodist Church.
Funeral and memorial service information has not yet been released.
