When the International Students and Friends Club assembled for their monthly café this Tuesday, the atmosphere was far from cheerful. The focus of the café was to honor the life of junior Michael Quimpo, who passed away March 27 at the age of 21.

During the gathering, held in the basement of Reid, the group had a moment of silence and shared memories and pictures of Quimpo; a notebook circulated throughout the crowd for friends to write down thoughts for Quimpo’s family. Rice pudding, Quimpo’s favorite dessert, was served in his honor.

“I was of course shocked and saddened by Michael’s death,” said his adviser Bob Fontenot.

An official determination of cause of death has not yet been released by the police.

“I’m not finished with the investigation, so I am not comfortable telling you how I think he died,” said Detective Miguel Sanchez, the officer handling Quimpo’s case.

According to Sanchez, Quimpo’s computer is currently being “forensically checked to establish a timeline and credibility of paperwork found in Michael’s room.” He expects the investigation to be finished by the end of next week.

Quimpo’s body was found by a Whitman security officer on March 27 in an off campus house. The officer was dispatched by the college who was trying to locate Quimpo for his family. The dispatch came after e-mails sent to the student list serve the previous night, inquiring about Quimpo’s whereabouts, generated no information. The search for Quimpo was prompted when his family was unable to contact him about the death of a grandparent.

Upon learning the news of Quimpo’s death, President George Bridges sent an e-mail out informing the student body of the news. Bridges urged campus community members to talk with the college’s counseling staff if they needed.

After discussing the matter with the counseling staff, Associate Dean of Students: Health and Wellness Richard Jacks said that they “made a commitment [to] do what was necessary to meet the demand [of students wishing to meet with counselors].”

“Whenever you have a student die it hits the campus in ways you can’t anticipate,” said Dean of Students Chuck Cleveland.

Since the announcement of Quimpo’s death, various community gatherings have been held to remember him.

During the café put on by the International Students and Friends club, memories were shared by friends of Quimpo’s joy for practicing the martial arts, rock climbing, and cooking.

“He was clearly very loved,” said Cleveland.

Adding to Quimpo’s characteristics, sophomore Ashma Basnyat said, “He was quite a goofball. Half of me still thinks he is going to pop out and say that it’s just a joke, but he’s not going to do that.”

Quimpo was born on February 6, 1987, in Manila, Phillippines. Son of a missionary physician and a homemaker, Quimpo lived in several different countries during his childhood, including New Guinea, Bangladesh and Nepal; he spoke English, French, Hiligaynon and Tagalog. Before attending Whitman, he graduated from high school in Kathmandu, Nepal.

After coming to Whitman in the fall of 2005, Quimpo decided on pursuing a degree in engineering under the 3/2 program. With the help of Fontenot, Quimpo had recently finished application to transfer to Columbia University where he was planning on studying computer science.

“I looked forward to an opportunity for him to acquire new skills,” said Fontenot.

Over spring break, Quimpo participated in an alternative spring break trip put on by the Intercultural Center. Students drove to Portland, Seaside and Seattle for shopping and sightseeing. On the trip, Quimpo’s job was navigator, and many students who went credit Quimpo as being the reason for their safe arrival in Portland.

“He was just in his own little world; happy and always smiling,” said Basnyat.

At Whitman, Quimpo was involved with many of the activities put on by the Intercultural center including the Tunnel of Oppression and the International Banquet.

“When we [the Intercultural Center] had programs and events that we needed people to help participate and put in some labor he always helped,” said Associate Dean of Students: Intercultural Programs/Services Mukulu Mweu.

A memorial service will be held on April 21. Quimpo’s family, who plans on visiting Whitman, wished that the memorial service be postponed until they are able to arrive. However, according to Cleveland, Quimpo’s friends will be involved in the service, as his father requested that it be a celebration of life.

“It’s a horrible tragedy, said Cleveland. “There is a sadness that is permeating the campus.”