The Pfeiffer University community mourns the loss of Cameron Stout ’26, who was killed in a single car motor vehicle accident on May 19, 2024. Stout, a rising junior, was a residential student from Salisbury, NC, who was majoring in Health and Physical Education.

A stand-out player on the Salisbury High School varsity basketball team, Stout was known at Pfeiffer as a kind and caring student who aspired to be a teacher. Ellen Blue, professor of education, remembers him as an eager and polite student.

“He wasn’t given the time on Earth to shine his light fully,” Blue said. “Cam had a teacher’s heart and understood the value of education. He would have been an amazing teacher.”

Dr. Dawn Lucas, dean of the undergraduate college and professor of education, worked with Stout in her Health Promotion and Life Skills course and believes his primary project in her class is an important reflection of his true character.

“Cam loved basketball,” she said, “but he also cared deeply about changing the lives of others for the better.”

Stout’s project in Lucas’ course focused on creating a safe, fun, and bully-free environment for children he worked with in the after-school program at the J.F. Hurley YMCA in Salisbury, NC. Lucas recalls that at the conclusion of his project, Stout reflected on his experience, noting that, “he was surprised to realize how easily a child’s life can be changed for the better when care is taken to learn about a child’s personal situation.”

Impacting children’s lives in positive ways was not a new passion for Stout.

“Cam made an impact on his community, specifically the youth. He worked at youth basketball camps in Salisbury and always wanted to build young kids up,” said Nasya Evans ’24, both a Salisbury High School and Pfeiffer University classmate of Stout.

On the court, teammate Doug Smith ’26 knew Stout as “encouraging, focused and always a hard worker.” Off the court, he is remembered fondly for his sense of humor.

Consistent with Stout’s caring nature, Miles Davis ’24, recalls that Stout would regularly check in on him. “He was a great roommate and a really cool guy,” he said.

“Cam, by all accounts, was a kind and caring person who wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of young people. His deep concern for children and his commitment to being a mentor and role model would have made him a truly exceptional teacher,” said Dr. Scott Bullard, Pfeiffer president. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss.”

Pfeiffer University will hold a memorial service for Stout’s classmates and the campus community in August, after students return for the fall semester. Other services have not yet been announced.