Recent Blair graduate dies of unknown causes

On Monday, the Blair community and alumni mourned the loss of University of Maryland sophomore Lowell Ensel (Blair class of 2013). Lowell, who was known for his enthusiastic, cheerful personality as well as his kindness and talent, died of unknown causes after experiencing trouble breathing while on a UMD shuttle.

That night, Lowell's fraternity Beta Theta Pi hosted a memorial on McKeldin Mall, and other students gathered in Anne Arundel Hall to grieve with the aid of school counselors. Lowell was a film studies and government and politics double major, Honors Humanities student, campus tour guide and all-around friend. He recently won the Honors Humanities Keystone Prize for his 45-minute film "In the Midterm," shown below.

While at Blair, Lowell was one of the captains of Blair's varsity baseball team. On Wednesday, Blair's baseball team honored Lowell with a tribute before their baseball game. "Five minutes before the biggest baseball game of their lives, the Blair Blazers stood with the opposing team, umpires and a packed stadium silent in the loss and memory of Lowell Ensel," Blair parent Richard Salzman wrote. "The stadium wept as we watched Lowell's parents, graceful with their grief, accept flowers in the memory of their beautiful son…In one chilly spring evening our sons shared the loss of a brother, the warmth of their continuing brotherhood and growth."

Fellow Blair class of '13 graduates and baseball players Trevor Gibson and Adam Lott created a fundraiser to help Lowell's family pay for funeral costs. In two days, they exceeded their goal of $10,000.

PTSA President Therese Gibson offered information of the memorials being held for Lowell. "Lowell's life will be celebrated on Sunday, May 17 at the University of Maryland at College Park. A film screening of "In the Midterm" will be shown at Hoff Theatre, Adele H. Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, on Sunday, May 17, at 4 p.m. Visitation will follow from 6 - 9 p.m. at University of Maryland Memorial Chapel, 7600 Baltimore Ave., College Park, MD (parking available behind the chapel in lot Y).

A memorial service will be held the last weekend in May. Contributions in Lowell's memory may be made to the University of Maryland Honors College Humanities Program payable to "UMCPF" and write in the Memo Section "Acct. 21-21894" or at http://go.umd.edu/ZU5."