Dear GSP Alum,


It is with heavy hearts that we write to inform you of the loss of one of our GSP family members, Mari Carson. Mari passed away December 31, 2018. Her obituary and information about the memorial services on Friday, January 11 and Saturday, January 12 can be found here.


GSP is arranging transportation for alum in the area and current members who would like to attend the service on Saturday, January 12. We will depart North Quad at 11:30 a.m. If you would like to carpool with us, please email Nita (shahnita@umich.edu) by noon on Wednesday.


Mari graduated in winter 2017 with degrees in both international studies and Spanish and was currently a master's student in public health at the University of Michigan. She was a CG facilitator for GSP two years in a row. During 2015-2016, she was among the first CG Facilitators to help us pilot the Global Engagement Internships (formerly known as the Research Action Project). That year and the following, she co-facilitated meaningful internship projects with Indiability/SKSN and Apne Aap Women's Collective, empowering disabled people and women in India while helping GSP nurture long-lasting partnerships with these esteemed organizations.


Of her facilitation role, Mari once reflected to Ashley that the world is like a mosaic, a piece of art that celebrates individuals' unique traits while simultaneously creating a single image. She likened a society segregated by pigments, gender, creed, and social class to a mosaic with missing tiles and colors. Facilitation, she said, creates unity among people from conflicting backgrounds while allowing them to shine as individuals. Though a facilitator may at times doubt their ability to create this mosaic, it is very rewarding when mutual understanding is achieved at the end. Mari called upon herself and others to practice love and acceptance of people with whom we disagree, even when facing forces more complicated and powerful than us.


Through our sadness, those of us who knew Mari will remember her dedication to global social justice and her ability to build friendships across differences through her wisdom, compassion, and contagious positivity. May we carry her beautiful insights and other treasured memories of Mari in our hearts.


Please do not hesitate to reach out to the GSP office if you seek comfort or support during this sad time.


Sincerely,


The GSP Office

Mari with a group of GSP friends (Symposium 2016)