Audrey Niblo was a Sacred Heart University student who suddenly passed away in May of 2018 from a heart condition. She experienced bullying growing up, but never let it dwindle the positivity she embodied every day.
In September of 2013, Audrey told the Greenwich Time about being bullied in middle school for her weight and for having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. After eventually becoming bully-free in high school, she expressed her passion for uplifting other students who have been bullied.
Audrey was a cherished sister in Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity. As a staff writer for The Spectrum and Her Campus, she was a voice for bullying victims in her community. She was outspoken about helping people of all walks of life on social media.
Audrey’s Facebook profile picture in September of 2017 showed her holding up a sign that said, “I have food, I have a home, I’m helping those who don’t.”
In June of 2014, she shared a post on Facebook that read, “You think you know them. Guess what? You don’t! Re-post if you are against bullying.”
“I think it’s awesome that she was so open about it,” said senior Sofia Debrot, an elementary education major. “It’s really important nowadays for kids to be more open about it because that’s how we can learn and prevent it.”
Audrey frequently expressed her loving personality on Twitter, especially when it came to her dog. An April 2018 tweet says, “There are some days that I really wish I had my doggo at school.”
Dr. Michael Alfano, Dean of the Farrington College of Education, just arrived at SHU when Audrey passed and was present for her memorial services.
“She was a very impactful student while she was here, so I was very saddened,” Alfano said. “I will say this, the way that the community came together when she passed was very humbling to see and very emotional.”
The Farrington College Education Program has been redesigned to educate future teachers about bullying. Debrot believes the program is effective and honors Audrey’s memory.
“I definitely think they’re doing right by her,” Debrot said. “Just from what I’ve observed in the schools that I’m in and the classes I’m in, they definitely make an effort to teach us teachers about ways to prevent it.”
According to Alfano, The Farrington College prioritizes social and emotional learning, emotional well-being and belonging.
“I’m very proud of that, and I can only hope that we would be doing her right, and what we’re doing is in support of her memory,” Alfano said.
According to Audrey’s obituary on Dignity Memorial, her family and friends remember her for her contagious smile, sparkly eyes, big hugs and being the hardest working person they know.
Alfano said, “I would hope that she would be very proud of what we’re doing.”
