An Ohio University student, remembered for his love of music and Italy, died in a car crash last Wednesday.
Stuart Stu Ross, of Canton, Ohio, died in a single car crash on I-90 at the Minnesota-South Dakota border, said Sarah Hayden, Ross' mother. He was 21 years old.
OU Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said he did not think drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.
Ross was a senior studying English and was working toward a certificate in Italian Cultural Studies.
Ohio University is saddened by the loss of a fellow Bobcat
and we will work with family and friends in honoring his memory appropriately said Kent Smith, OU's vice president for Student Affairs. OU flew a flag at half-staff in honor of Ross' memory.
Ross enjoyed music, having taught himself the guitar, and played soccer for years. He was also a poet. His real passion, though, was for Italy.
I think he initially began studying Italian because of the mandatory foreign language requirement and he just became a lover of everything about Italy and what it stood for
said Francesca Colloredo, an Italian instructor, who taught Ross for two years. His love for Italy
which is my country - a very strong love for a country that is not his - that's something I'll never forget.
Ross traveled to Italy this summer for an internship at the Vecchia Cantina Winery and considered a career working with wine in Italy, Hayden said.
Ross' parents have set up a scholarship fund in his name to allow students to travel to Italy and enjoy the experience Ross had there. They are developing the criteria for the scholarship and are accepting donations for the fund.
I know a lot of kids nowadays have a really interesting depth and ability to think on a different level
Hayden said. You get things that this busy world sometimes misses. But he got it
and he understood.
Zach Gwin, a senior studying political science and sociology at Miami University, was friends with Ross for almost eight years.
So many people just tried to fit in
but Stu stood out as his own person. He was so incredibly unique
Gwin said. He was completely earnest. He knew exactly how he thought about something
and he told you that.
