By Gregory Childress
gchildress@heraldsun; 419-6645
Chapel Hill -- Eve Carson never knew it, but she changed Sarah Smith's life.
It was because of Carson, the UNC Chapel Hill student body president who was murdered in March 2008, that Smith, a UNC senior, has decided to pursue a career in philanthropy.
"I met her several times," Smith said Thursday shortly after a dedication ceremony for the new Eve Marie Carson Garden. "She was one of those people that when you meet her, you want to be like her."
Smith was one of several dozen people attending the garden dedication ceremony at Polk Place, off Cameron Avenue behind the Campus Y, who also took time to post a message on wooden walls set up near the garden.
The garden was created to honor all UNC students, past and future, who die before they graduate.
"Eve, whether you knew it or not, you changed my life," Smith wrote. "I'm a better, more caring person because you lived."
Smith said she probably talked to Carson about four times and can remember each place the conversation took place and every word they exchanged.
UNC senior Perrine DeShield of Greensboro also wrote on the wall:
"Eve was more than my freshman camp counselor," DeShield wrote. "Thank you Eve for your smiles, spirit and encouragement."
DeShield said Carson is often on her mind, and that the garden we'll go a long way to keep Carson's memory alive.
"An event like this reinforces the impact she had on this campus," DeShield said. "This will keep her memory alive and her spirit alive."
Others also posted messages in remembrance of beloved Carson, some of them anonymously.
One writer wrote, "Eve you are loved. You are missed. Another wrote, "I miss you everyday. I'm sorry you're not here. You will always be missed."
