One of the things Jimmie Borum said she remembered most about Amanda Bebout was her smile.
“She had a really beautiful and infectious smile,” said Borum, a clinical instructor in the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “She was always smiling, and when she smiled, her eyes smiled with her.”
Throughout the week, Borum and other members of the campus community have been reflecting on Bebout, a 20-year-old junior nursing major from California who was found dead at her off-campus residence Monday. Preliminary findings indicate there was no foul play, according to police.
“I think that a precious person has been lost, and I just hope she has some peace now,” Borum said.
Diane Hawley, a clinical assistant professor, said she spent time with Bebout during a July 2008 London study abroad trip.
“She was always bubbly and ready to go to the next thing and the next place to visit,” Hawley said. “She just had a lot of energy about her, and she just had a wonderful desire to learn.”
Hawley said she particularly remembered a visit to London’s Old Operating Theatre, a 19th-century operating room.
“It has some gruesome depictions and some gruesome ways about surgery in those days, and Amanda was particularly grossed out by the (antiquated style of) the Old Operating Theatre,” Hawley said.
To honor Bebout, Hawley said she and other nursing professors took time in class Tuesday for prayer or a moment of silence. The TCU flag in front of Sadler Hall was lowered to half-staff in memory of Bebout as well.
Borum, who taught Bebout in her spring 2008 Nursing Fundamentals and Health Assessment class, said she remembered an e-mail Bebout sent her after the class was over.
“During that e-mail, roles kind of reversed and instead of me being the encourager, she was encouraging me and sharing with me what she enjoyed about the class and the way I taught,” Borum said. “I think that’s just an example of the kind of giving person that she was.”
Marinda Allender, director of undergraduate nursing programs, echoed the sentiments of Borum and Hawley and said Bebout was a bright, enthusiastic nursing student.
A Gamma Phi Beta alumna, who asked to remain anonymous because of sorority policy, said she remembered Bebout’s outgoing nature, likening it to “a ray of sunshine.”
“She was always a very bubbly and outgoing and fun person to be around,” she said. “She made everyone smile and laugh. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone who is so inspiring to other people.”
According to an article in The Orange County Register, Bebout was a star swimmer at Tesoro High School in Orange County. While in high school, Bebout also trained with local swimming club Mission Viejo Nadadores, where she was a member of the club’s second highest training group, according to the article.
Attempts to reach Bebout’s family by telephone were unsuccessful.
A Facebook group in memory of Bebout, “Prayers for Amanda Bebout,” had more than 3,300 members. Friends and acquaintances described Bebout as a kind and inspiring young woman. A high school friend wrote that Bebout’s name is still on a board of school swimming records. The Facebook group has been taken down since.
Amanda Bebout Memorial Service
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Robert Carr Chapel
