Alumnus Dedicated Life to Serving

The UMass Amherst alumni community is saddened by the tragic loss of Ayman Taha ’02 G. On December 30, Taha was killed by an explosion of munitions he was preparing for demolition in Balad, Iraq. Taha was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

"We received the news of Ayman Taha's tragic death in Iraq with great sadness,” said UMass Amherst chancellor John V. Lombardi. “While large international events produce a wide range of opinion, the loss of one of our own unites us in sorrow. We offer our condolences and support to Ayman Taha's family and friends."

An economics major, Taha earned his master’s degree from UMass Amherst in 2002. He was enrolled in the doctoral program until the end of fall semester 2003 when he withdrew to enlist with the Army and serve in the Special Forces. He had a keen interest in economic development and was dedicated to helping the people in the Middle East, according to an article in The Washington Post on January 4.

Taha lived and studied in many parts of the world. Born in the Sudan, his family moved to Virginia where he attended elementary school. His secondary school years were spent in England before attending the University of California at Berkeley. Multi-lingual, Taha spoke English, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese. He leaves his wife, Geraldine, and child, Sommer.

"The Alumni Association extends its deepest condolences to the Taha family,” says Cristina Geso, executive director of the Alumni Association. “His dedication to his beliefs and to helping others, give us all pause for thought.”