BRYN MAWR COMMUNITY MOURNS LOSS OF
ECONOMICS MAJOR ASHLEY ELSER

Members of the Bryn Mawr community gathered last Saturday to mourn the loss of economics major Ashley Virginia Elser, who died Jan. 14 after a long illness. Elser completed the requirements for her A.B., and her degree will be awarded posthumously, magna cum laude with honors in economics, in May 2005.

Those who knew her describe Elser as a gifted and inquisitive student, an unflagging optimist and a generous friend.

Elser entered Bryn Mawr in 1998 with the Class of 2002. After some time away from the College, she returned in 2003, planning to complete her final semester, when an intestinal ailment forced her to withdraw. A succession of increasingly serious infections prevented her return and ultimately claimed her life.

During her last semester at Bryn Mawr, Elser petitioned Associate Professor of Social Work and Social Research Thomas Vartanian to join his graduate-level course on inequality in the United States.

"She had to persuade me to allow it," said Vartanian, who spoke at Elser's memorial service on Saturday. "Only 15 people were allowed in the course, and she was the 16th person — as well as an undergraduate in a graduate seminar. But I could see that she was exceptionally bright and familiar with the issues; I knew she would add something to the class."

After Elser withdrew from the College, Vartanian remained in contact with her and often visited her in the hospital. "She was just an incredibly kind and giving woman — she was always giving, giving, giving. You sense that about a person, and that's why I stayed close to her," Vartanian said.

Liz Hartman '04, who was a study partner and close friend of Elser's, also spoke on Saturday. Hartman, now studying public policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, said Elser, too, had planned to undertake graduate study. She had a particular interest in transportation issues.

"Ashley was an extraordinary person. She had a great sense of humor, an incredible intellect, and above all she was a wonderful friend," Hartman said. "Even in the difficult times, Ashley always thought about others. No matter how she was feeling, she would ask me how I was doing."

Her father, Paul Elser, describes Ashley as a gifted musician who played both violin and piano, and an enthusiastic amateur photographer who loved to take long walks outdoors in search of subjects for her photographs. "She enjoyed walking on the Bryn Mawr campus," he said. "And she traveled all over the Main Line to photograph the Art Dogs" — an exhibition of 54 decorated dog sculptures placed outside public buildings and businesses throughout the area. "I think she got almost all of them."

"She dearly loved Bryn Mawr College," Paul Elser said. "And we want the whole Bryn Mawr community to know how grateful we are for all of the support and kindness it has shown."

Ashley Elser is survived by her father; her mother, Laura; and two sisters, Angelique and Alyssa. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ashley Elser's memory to Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-2899, Attn. Martha Dean, Director of Development.

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