VT student Spencer Forsling immersed himself in music, photography, research

The Virginia Tech community is grieving after the loss of a “vibrant” graduate student overnight in Blacksburg.

Spencer Forsling, 22, was crossing North Main Street when he was struck and killed by a Town of Blacksburg police officer responding to an emergency call early Wednesday morning.

Forsling was a graduate student in electrical engineering in the College of Engineering with his focus on electromagnetics.

He came to Virginia Tech in the fall of 2021 and received dual bachelor’s degrees in electrical and computer engineering in the spring, Virginia Tech confirmed.

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ICYMI

• Blacksburg: Virginia Tech student crossing street dead, struck by police officer

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“The university community is heart-broken following this sudden loss,” said Mark Owczarski, VT spokesperson. “Our attention will focus on supporting family, friends and colleagues who were a part of his vibrant life.”

In coming days, those of us who didn’t know Forsling will learn about his life and legacy through friends and family and others in the Virginia Tech community. A campus memoriam article will be published and shared soon from Virginia Tech, Owczarski told AFP.

Online bio shows Forsling on path to success

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From the outside looking in, Forsling’s life was one lived to the fullest immersing himself in photography and videography, music, video games and more. By all accounts, he wasn’t an average student; he was a remarkable young person who was already making a mark on the world and destined for even greater success.

Forsling was a graduate assistant for the Student Success Center, where he helped coordinate its tutoring program.

He also contributed to research on Sporadic E in the SuperDARN lab, performed website development and worked in the Asian Pacific Islander Design American + Center. He had presented his research at the American Geophysical Union.

As an undergraduate, he served as the events coordinator and videographer for the Chinese American Society and historian for the Asian American Student Union.

Forsling also served in various roles with Naturally Sharp A Cappella, performing as Tenor 2. He shared CAS and APIDA+ activities on his Facebook page including formal dances and fundraisers.

Forsling enjoyed growing plants, hiking and adventuring with friends, according to his bio.

He was a graduate of Allen D. Nease Senior High School. While he called Blacksburg home, he was from Saint Augustine, Fla., according to his Facebook page.