Student dies in GRC

Painting and print-making major Brittany “Bree” Selz, of Rhoadesville, died in Gladding Residence Hall Monday. Selz, 19, had been living with muscular dystrophy, a disease that causes degeneration of skeletal muscles.

Kindal Evers met Selz 13 years ago at a Muscular Dystrophy Association camp. Evers said Selz was a free spirit.

“She’s very mellow, down to earth,” Evers said. “We used to always call her a hippie.”

Evers says she was very close to Selz and she and another friend from the MDA camp called themselves “The Brain.” Evers said she and the other girl were planning to transfer to VCU so they could live and go to school together.

“We’ve grown up together,” Evers said. “We’ve never been apart.”

John Selz, Bree’s father, said she had already accomplished her life goals.

“A lot of people said she couldn’t do things, but she would go ahead and do them anyway,” Mr. Selz said. “No matter what she did, she always worked hard.”

Director of Communications and Public Relations Pamela Lepley said Selz died of natural causes and students were not notified by e-mail because there was no threat to other students.

“It was not an incident that required university-wide attention,” Lepley said.

Lepley said students in Selz’s dorm were offered counseling services.

West Virginia University student Mary Turner was friends with Selz and described her as an honest, caring, soft-spoken person who cared deeply about politics, the economy and her family and friends.

“I loved her and anyone who came in contact with her did too,” Turner stated in an e-mail. “She loved the Beatles, and the whole 60s (and) 70s generation. I often thought she was reincarnated or was supposed to be born in a different time.”

A memorial service will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday, at 31440 Constitution Highway in Lucas Grove, Va. 22508.