Norfolk State University Celebrates the Life of Jahari George
Jahari George was a 20-year-old Junior engineering student from Maryland who was a shining star in the Spartan family. His commanding presence was only eclipsed by his winning personality. His leadership qualities were evidenced by his active role in many campus organizations and activities. Jahari served as the public relations manager for the 2023-24 Student Government Association and was a part of the 2023 Spartans’ Promise to Persist with Purpose (SP3) summer enrichment program.
He was a Presidential Scholar and part of the Robert C. Nusbaum Honors College, National Society for Black Engineers, as well as serving as the treasurer for the NSU Swim Club, and Media Director for the Student Government Association. Jahari acquired well over 200 hours of community service while in high school, where he worked with organizations such as D.C Central Kitchen, Boys and Girls Club, and Avon39. Jahari George was a goal-oriented person who weaved his passion into everything he did. He was passionate about social justice and loved to delve into intellectual conversations about how to move forward in life.
Today we reflect upon Jahari, who was loved and nurtured by his parents and younger sister, and take time to focus on his impact on the campus community. Let us use our memories of him as motivation to strive for excellence in our care for each other and our community. His life was destined to be one of greatness, but it was cut short by a senseless act. As Spartans, we must commit ourselves to creating an environment that not only protects each other but also fosters an environment where our students, faculty and staff can thrive.
The University will be holding a vigil in honor of Jahari at a later date. The NSU Counseling Center will offer immediate counseling and support for students who have experienced trauma or distress related to this event. The center offers a safe and confidential environment for Spartans to discuss their feelings with experienced professionals. If support is needed, please contact the center at (757) 823-8173 and after-hours at (757) 823-9000 to speak with an on-call counselor. Spartans can also access additional support through TimelyCare (timelycare.com/nsu), a virtual health and well-being app for students, faculty and staff on Apple or Android devices.