Funeral services are scheduled for noon on Monday, May 6, in Samford University's Reid Chapel for student Lakim Young, who died unexpectedly earlier this week.

Samford's Gospel Choir, dance ensemble and other students will assist with the service. Matt Kerlin, Samford's university minister, said the family requested that the service would be held on the campus because of Young's strong attachment to the university.

Young  was found dead, apparently from natural causes, Tuesday morning (April 30) in his room in Samford's Beeson Woods residential village. Young was a sophomore theatre major from Birmingham, Ala.

The Department of Theatre and Dance held a vigil Tuesday night (April 30) on the University Quadrangle, in front of the Bolding-Swearingen Theatre Building, to celebrate the life of their dear friend and fellow artist.  Hundreds of students laughed and cried during the service, as they remembered their dear friend.

Samford University is deeply saddened by the news, and holds LaKim's family and friends in our prayers.

Editor's note: This story, originally posted April 30, was updated May 3.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.