The Department of History is saddened by the sudden loss of undergraduate and graduate alumnus Samantha Jean Owens. Sam, as she was fondly known, joined the department as a Smittcamp Honor's College student and would go on to win the History Outstanding Student Award before becoming the Dean's Medalist for the College of Social Sciences. A history major and math minor while an undergraduate student, Sam would continue her studies with the History Department, earning her Master's Degree before beginning her career in education. 

Sam's academic accomplishments were appreciated by those in the department who taught her. Dr. Brad Jones, her thesis advisor, recalls how as an undergraduate student, her work was of such a standard that he asked her to present at the Department's Graduate Symposium: one of the few, if not only, such cases to date. The sentiment that Sam was engaged in graduate level work as an undergraduate was shared by many within the department as well. 

The loss of this remarkable young woman is one that is felt keenly by the department which mourns her untimely passing, but she will be remembered fondly by all.

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