Marcus Deon McKinnon

Marcus Deon McKinnon, 30, was beginning his junior year at NCCU when he was stabbed and killed Aug. 20. He graduated from Hillside High School.

He rode his bicycle to school everyday and he would store it in the office of Lana Henderson, his adviser.

He left behind a wife, a son, Brandon, 9, and a daughter, Chala, 4. McKinnon majored in political science.

McKinnon was a brick mason before coming to NCCU.

“I think he was headed in the direction to become a preacher,” said McKinnon’s father, John Marvin McKinnon. “And I told him that if he wanted to be a preacher, he had to get an education.”

McKinnon attended church at the Faith Gospel Tabernacle Church on Troy Street.

Mona Celeste MacNair

Mona Celeste MacNair, sometimes endearingly called Ms. Mona, died in an Oct. 11 car accident.

She leaves behind a husband and three children ages 4, 6, and 9.

MacNair taught in the English department.    

“She was a very positive person in all her interactions,” said English department chair Arlene Clift-Pellow. “She was very caring.”

Along with being a dedicated teacher, she was also adevoted mother.

“Her office was decorated with pictures and drawings by her children,” said English professor Kuldip Kuwhahara. MacNair was active in her church, sang in the choir and regularly attended bible study.