WACO, TX — Baylor University is mourning the death of a student who passed Sunday from COVID-19 complications.
Alicia Martinez, a 2020 graduate of the Diana Garland School of Social Work and current social work graduate student, passed away today in Waco from complications from COVID-19, according to a letter from Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone.
Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., shared the news today in a letter to the campus community saying "It is with deep sorrow that I share with you the heartbreaking news that we have lost a Baylor University student to complications from COVID-19."
Martinez was battling COVID for several weeks, according to Livingstone.
"This is devastating news for Alicia's family, friends, her cohort of social work classmates and faculty to whom she was very close and for our community at Baylor University. May all of us in the Baylor Family join together in prayer for Alicia's family and all those who loved and cherished her as they mourn such a tragic loss."
According to Livingstone's letter, Alicia was a Waco native and graduate of Rapaport Academy, from which she earned her associate's degree at the same time from McLennan Community College.
She stayed in her hometown to attend Baylor and pursue her degrees in social work as a way to empower people and communities.
She was interning at Grassroots Community Development. She also volunteered her time to serve with the children's ministry at University Baptist Church.
"She was so full of hope and planned to graduate with her master's degree in social work in May," Livingstone said.
University Chaplain, Dr. Burt Burleson, and Counseling Center staff are offering their support for Alicia's cohort of social work graduate students and others close to her. Students can call the Counseling Center today at 254-710-2467 to speak with on-call staff.
The University will hold a virtual gathering at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow (Monday, Jan. 18) for members of the School of Social Work and Baylor community to be together and pray for one another and Alicia's family.
