Mr. Harris, who planned to become a medical doctor,  began his studies at UD in the fall of 2017, majoring in biological sciences and minoring in theatre studies. A devoted high school student, he received several scholarships for college, including a McDonald’s Scholarship Award and federal academic grants. As a student researcher, he conducted biological research at Tulane University in the summer of 2019 and at Delaware State University in the summer of 2020. He also volunteered at local hospitals, gaining vital knowledge and an even greater passion for the medical field.

At UD, he pledged Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, joining a community committed to intellectual awareness, social responsibility, integrity and brotherly love.

Passionate about social justice, Mr. Harris was concerned about social conditions in this country and became an intern at UD’s Biden Institute, where he worked with others to promote programming on campus that addressed domestic policy issues within the United States. 

‘A friendly, caring and motivated person’

Members of the University community recalled Mr. Harris.

Jia Song, associate professor of biological sciences, said, “I knew Christian from the development and molecular experimental laboratory and developmental biology courses I taught last and this semester. I remember in our lab class, as everyone was running around wrapping things up and rushing home after a long lab day, Christian was calm and focused, carefully measuring the concentration of his extracted plasmids. He conducted his experiments with care and steadiness, took meticulous notes in his lab notebook and always actively participated in class. From my conversations with him, I learned that he wanted to take a year off to conduct cancer research before medical school. I remember Christian as an inspirational and hardworking student with a clear purpose in life. I am thankful that I had the privilege to get to know Christian.”

His close friend and Zeta Beta Tau fraternity brother Mo Haq said, "Christian Harris was such a friendly, caring and motivated person. He was a fourth-year biological sciences student on the pre-med track with dreams of one day becoming a surgeon and saving lives. On campus, Christian was passionately involved in various organizations including the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and the Biden Institute. Christian loved to smile, sing, dance and spend quality time with his friends and family. He taught everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him a little bit more about love, laughter and finding beauty in the little things in life. Christian meant so much to his friends and family and will be missed every day."

Cathy McLaughlin, executive director of the Biden Institute, said, “The Biden Institute team was deeply saddened to learn that Christian Harris passed away. Christian was a model member of the institute’s Student Advisory Council and used his voice to speak out and make change on the issues he cared so deeply about. We express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. We are grateful for the impact Christian had on the institute’s work, and we will work to continue his legacy by lifting up the causes he cared about and the programming that he helped create.”

Perry Spiegel, events manager of the Biden Institute, said, “Since his freshman year, Christian dedicated time to working with the Biden Institute on issues from criminal justice reform to civic engagement. In 2018, by registering students for TurboVote, Christian helped engage his fellow UD students in the voting process. His dedication to public policy and civic engagement had an impact on his classmates, and his contributions to the Biden Institute will continue in our work.”