Our Sister Kristen McCartney

Kristen McCartney, our friend and sister, passed away on September 20th of 2021 while in quarantine at the beginning of our sophomore year. The loss of Kristen was felt widely in all corners and spaces of our campus and it is my sincerest wish that we can honor all the joy and wisdom she brought to our campus community in the short time she was with us. 

Kristen was an extraordinary individual whose brilliance, dedication, and passion to her studies and the betterment of humanity left an indelible mark on our campus. Her commitment to her academic studies, particularly in Diplomacy & International Relations, was inspirational.

 

She possessed an insatiable curiosity and passion for helping others through her studies and aimed to push the boundaries of how we think about international humanitarian law. Kristen aspired to work in the international law sector, specifically with the defense and enforcement of international human rights, and this carried over into her personal life. Kristen was an advocate. She made a point to fight for the underdog and always advocated for the lives and rights of others. Through her passions, she attained high marks and was awarded Dean's List in her first semester at Seton Hall University. 

Beyond Kristen’s academic accomplishments, she was also an exemplary community member and friend. She touched the lives of numerous friends, professors, and peers with her dedication to philanthropic causes and serving her community. Kristen embodied the role of a servant leader through her hands-on service in the Seton Hall community. She always found time to get involved, whether it was through volunteering with DOVE, playing Kick Ball for a philanthropy event, or finding time to fundraise for the Arthritis Foundation, she was passionate about helping others.

Moreover, Kristen was a treasured member of the Seton Hall campus community. Kristen was loving. One of Kristen’s many gifts was her ability to make you her friend in an instant. There was never a time that she wouldn’t go out of her way to befriend someone she didn’t know, or put in the effort to make someone feel included. If you were blessed to know her, you know just how often she enveloped people in her warm love. Kristen is hilarious. Her smile and laughter were infectious. She lit up rooms with her joy and was so well versed in the art of comedy, you’d think it was her full time job. No matter what was going on in the world around us, she was always able to make you laugh.

 

Perhaps the most descriptive symbol of Kristen's life and impact on our campus is one she wore around her neck each and everyday. Kristen always wore an olive branch necklace as a reminder to seek peace and friendship in all situations. Given her major and the catholic teachings of our university, it is so fitting that a symbol of peace and friendship dating back to Greek mythos was one of the more defining metaphors which Kristen loved. Kristen always acted out of goodwill and sought peace and friendship in her everyday life. She loved so many people on our campus and went out of her way to spread her warmth to everyone she’d encounter. 

The sisters of Gamma Phi miss her terribly, but make sure that her memory is carried with us in all that we do.