Meredith College Mourns Loss of Student Marissa Borst, ’24

The Meredith College community was saddened to learn of the death of student Marissa Borst, a member of the Class of 2024. This message of condolence was shared by Vice President for College Programs Jean Jackson, ’75.

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

With great sadness I write to tell you of the death on August 1, 2021 of Marissa Borst.   Meredith College offers condolences to her parents, David and Vanessa Borst; her extended family; and all of Marissa’s Meredith classmates and friends.

A rising sophomore from Hope Mills, N.C., Marissa was a leader in the Class of 2024. In her first year at Meredith she had already made a significant impact on our community. She planned to major in psychology and was active in the Meredith Autism Program.

Marissa was in the Honors Program and a Meredith Legacy Scholar, reflecting her strengths as a student and leader in high school. Prior to attending Meredith, she graduated from Village Christian Academy in Fayetteville, N.C., where her student activities included serving as vice president of the Student Government Association, founding the school’s chapter of Mu Alpha Theta math club, and being selected for the National Honor Society. She was an active member of her church and a volunteer at Cape Fear Valley Hospital.

Visitation will be at Village Baptist Church on McPherson Church Road, Fayetteville, N.C., on Thursday August 5 at 1 p.m., followed immediately by a Celebration of Life Service at 2 p.m. More information is available at her memorial page: jerniganwarren.com.

I encourage members of our community to make use of Meredith resources during this difficult time.  Students can seek support from our Counseling Center, Chaplain, and the Dean of Students staff, among others. Our Chaplain can also be a resource for faculty and staff.

With sorrow for all who loved and admired Marissa,

Jean Jackson, ‘75
Vice President for College Programs
Professor of English