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Shock as Union’s Postgraduate Officer passes away

Jason Simpkins (1983-2009), Kent Union’s Postgraduate Officer, after having an epileptic fit died on the 8th January in his home in Lakewood, Colorado.

An important part of Kent Union, Jason was appointed the Humanities Faculty rep in his first year, and the year after became the Postgraduate Officer, a position which he got elected to again last year.

Jason graduated from Clark University in America, and following this completed his MA at the University of Warwick. At the time of his death, he was in the third year of his PhD in film studies at the University of Kent.

In a statement, on behalf of Kent Union, President Tom Christian described Jason as “a committed and dependable officer who helped pioneer greater representation for Postgraduates at the University of Kent.”

In response to Jason’s death the University of Kent also had to say that “his commitment to improving the experience of postgraduate students across the University was an inspiration and he will be greatly missed.”

Jason Simpkin’s friends also paid tribute to him, describing him as a “truly a remarkable individual”, “someone with a good sense of humour”, a “dedicated” and “really passionate” man.

A memorial service will be held in his home town later this week, and at the time of writing Kent Union and the University of Kent are planning a memorial service sometime after the start of term.

Comments

• This is such sad and shocking news.
  
  R.I.P. Jason.

  By Lauren Crowley on 14.1.2024

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