BOISE, Idaho — A Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) student died Sunday during a diving incident off the coast of Ecuador while attending a university study abroad program.
Serena Bennett, a recent NNU graduate, died May 18 while scuba diving with other students and faculty members off the coast of Ecuador, according to
university officials.
Bennett graduated cum laude from NNU earlier this month, with a degree in Wildlife Biology and Ecology with a minor in Photography.
The university said in a statement all students and faculty members on the dive had completed the required training and certification before the trip. Faculty members, dive team personnel and medical professionals responded as the incident unfolded.
NNU officials said they are providing assistance to Bennett's family and to the students and faculty who were part of the trip. The remaining participants are deciding whether to continue their studies in Ecuador or return to the United States.
The university community gathered on Tuesday for a prayer service honoring Bennett.
NNU has not released specific details about the circumstances of the incident.