Brown U. graduate among Oakland fire victims

December 5, 2016 6:27 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Brown University graduate is among at least three dozen victims of Friday night’s warehouse fire in Oakland, California.

Nick Gomez-Hall, 25, of Coronado, California, graduated from Brown in 2013, concentrating in American Studies with a focus on Cultural Exchange and Expression between the U.S. and Latin America.

His former professor, Mark Baumer, describes Gomez-hall as an artist, a leader and a mentor. "Everytime I would run into him when he was still in Providence, it just seemed like he was doing a million things and enjoying his life fuller than anyone I knew."

During Gomez-Hall’s time at Brown, he volunteered with the Swearer Center, mentoring local elementary school students. He would later work there as site coordinator for the Swearer Center’s Brown Elementary After-School Mentoring program at William D’Abate Elementary School in Olneyville, before moving back home to California.

The Swearer Center released a statement:

“The staffs of the Swearer Center for Public Service and the D’Abate Community School are deeply saddened by the death of Nicolas Gomez-Hall, who perished in the Oakland warehouse fire this weekend. Nick, a 2013 graduate of Brown University, played an integral role in the Swearer Community during his time in Providence. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nick’s loved ones at this time. Out of respect for those who are affected by the tragedy in Oakland, the Swearer Center will not be making any further comment. We will celebrate Nick’s life and contributions to the community at a later date.”

Gomez-Hall was also in a band, Nightmom. The band has since put up their unreleased music for free online, asking for donations to Gomez-Hall’s family. To download the songs, click here.