Story updated on December 12, 2024.

Kephas Pope poses in front of a lake and pagoda in Guangzhou, China.
*Photo provided by Nathan Pope*

Kephas Pope, an 18-year-old sophomore at Santa Clara University, died when he was killed in a vehicle accident while crossing El Camino Real on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Kephas first experienced Santa Clara University’s campus while his father, Nathan Pope, attended Santa Clara University School of Law. After Nathan graduated in 2022, the family moved to New York City, where Kephas graduated from high school a year early.

Upon graduation, Kephas chose to attend Santa Clara, where his sister was already in attendance. During Kephas’s first year, while he was a resident of McLaughlin-Walsh Residence Hall, his father was living across the country in Washington, D.C where he worked as an attorney

“When I was in D.C., he said ‘Dad, I wish you lived closer,’” Nathan Pope said. When Kephas expressed this to his father, Nathan asked for and was granted permission from his employer to relocate to San Jose. In September of this year, Nathan Pope and his two children began sharing an apartment in Domicilio, an apartment complex just across El Camino Real from campus.

Kephas was walking to campus from this apartment when he died, his father said.

Despite graduating from high school a year early, Kephas’s academic performance in college outpaced his high school career. “In high school, he tended to get B’s,” Nathan Pope said.“Last year, his freshman year, he got an A in every single class.”

According to Nathan, Kephas initially planned to study accounting or finance at SCU. However, Kephas soon discovered an aptitude that would send him down a different path.

“His first quarter at SCU, he took chemistry, and he got an A,” his father said. A year later, Kephas was a biochemistry and neuroscience student.

Though only 18 years old at the time of his death, Kephas intended to take the MCAT this coming summer. In the meantime, he worked as a lab assistant in a chemistry lab and spent time planning to obtain the clinical hours needed for a competitive medical school application.

Mirroring his academic passion for medicine, Kephas cared deeply about his own physical fitness. He loved going to the gym daily, and was passionate about using his love for cooking to help achieve his fitness goals.

Kephas had recently expressed an interest in sharing these interests with the world by vlogging. He posted his first vlog to YouTube in September, depicting scenes from his summer in Guangzhou, China.

Pope’s passing sent immediate shockwaves through the University’s community.

“This difficult news weighs heavily on the campus community and Kephas’s death reminds us of the fragility and sacredness of life,” President Julie Sullivan wrote in a campus-wide email notifying the community of Kephas’s death.

While the circumstances of Pope’s passing shook even those who did not know him personally, his family is left missing the man they knew and loved dearly.

“He and I were very close. He is my son, but he was also kind of like my best friend,” said Nathan Pope, Kephas’s father. Nathan Pope is a lecturer in Santa Clara University’s School of Education and Counseling Psychology, and graduated from the University’s School of Law in 2022.

Nathan Pope described his son as loyal and strong, and said that his Christian faith was an important part of his life.

Following Kephas’s death, Nathan set up a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral costs and other expenses. As of Dec. 8, nearly $55,000 has been raised.

Kephas’ funeral was held on Monday, Dec. 2 in Sanger, California. The funeral was livestreamed on YouTube.

In front of the Mission Church, attendees of the vigil share a moment of remembrance.
*Photo By: Dylan Ryu*

A vigil in remembrance of Kephas Pope was held on Sunday night in front of the Mission Church. About 150 people attended the memorial, including President Julie Sullivan and some of Kephas’ professors. Kephas’ father, mother, and sister stood at the front of the crowd gathered in a semicircle around the steps of the Mission Church.

The 30-minute vigil featured remarks from Kephas’ grandfather Roy Pope and three of Kephas’ friends. Elizabeth Rand, a campus minister, and John McGarry, S.J., the director of Campus Ministry, also spoke.

Following the remarks, those in attendance lit candles and were invited to join in prayer and offer one another a sign of peace.