Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, visiting professor at Eckerd, dies at 87
ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - The world mourned the loss of Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel Saturday when it was announced he died at the age of 87.
The community at Eckerd College, where Wiesel served as a visiting professor for 23 years, was especially devastated by the loss.
The college said Wiesel spoke to freshmen classes every year, and taught a one-month winter term course, which was always centered on the theme of hope.
"He would know everyone's name by the second day, and our stories, and he would make our coffee four us," said Libby Shannon, an Eckerd College graduate and Associate Chaplain at the College's Center for Spiritual Life. "Taking his class was just an incredible, unforgettable experience."
Eckerd College President Donald Eastman worked with Wiesel for 15 years and said he shared the same affection for the renowned author and activist.
"For 23 years as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Humanities at Eckerd College, Elie Wiesel was our mentor, teacher and guide," Eastman said. "His quiet intensity and message of remembrance, compassion and love touched the hearts of thousands of our Eckerd students, faculty and staff. We are deeply saddened by this tremendous loss to us and to all humanity."