Students mourn classmate who died in hiking accident

ROARING GAP, N.C. — Many UNC Charlotte students are mourning the loss of a classmate. Jordan Slusher from Gastonia fell while hiking Saturday and died.

Now Eyewitness News is learning he was very involved on campus, where he would have been a senior this fall.

"We lost a great spirit, we lost a great student and a great student leader and most of all, we lost a great friend," said Christine Reed Davis, senior associate dean of students at UNC Charlotte.

You couldn't help but notice the gray sky above the UNC Charlotte campus Monday. The gloomy weather matched how those who knew Jordan felt.

"A part of this community is gone," said Adrian Romero, a fellow student.

A North Carolina State Parks spokesperson said Jordan and some friends were hiking at Stone Mountain State Park on Saturday. He said that the three split up and made plans to meet again soon. At one point, it appears Jordan fell. Crews searched for hours and found him at the base of the mountain.

Those who knew Jordan say hiking was a passion.

"Always wanted to be out in the world that God created so it wasn't a surprise to me that he was out enjoying nature," said Reed Davis.

Davis first met Jordan when he was a sophomore in student government. She said he was a mentor to other students, part of a religious organization on campus and an alumni ambassador, representing the students with the Board of Trustees.

Eyewitness News was told that he was a double major in psychology and religious studies.

Jordan's family said religion was more than just a major for him. He loved God and wanted his life to reflect that, they said. His family is finding comfort in that now.

People Eyewitness News spoke with say that although he was young, Jordan did make an impact on campus. He will forever be remembered for his honesty, humor and compassion.

"He definitely had a warm heart, warm smile for everybody," Davis said.

"He loved helping others. That's the type of person he was -- he wanted to help other people out," Romero said.

Students are working to put a memorial together and are considering a scholarship in Jordan's name.

Parks and Recreation said it's still investigating the incident but said it appears to have been an accident.

WSOC