Stillman College Mourns Deaths of Student, 2 Alumni in Accident

Stillman College in Tuscaloosa is mourning the death of a student and two recent Alumni who were killed in an automobile accident in Georgia Friday night.

In a Saturday news release, the HBCU said current Stillman College student Sieas Elliot and alumni Destiny Gardner and Varick Lawrence were all killed in a wreck in the Atlanta area Friday.

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“This is a terrible tragedy for everyone in our Stillman family. The spirit of each of these proud Stillmanites will live on with all who were greeted by their warm smiles and welcoming personality. The entire Stillman College community mourns this heartbreaking loss. We extend our sincere condolences to their families, friends, classmates, and teammates during this incredibly difficult time,” said Yolanda Page, the president of Stillman College.

In the press release, Stillman said Elliot was from Stockbridge, Georgia and played baseball for the Tigers. He was set to graduate this academic year and had planned to come work for the baseball team as an assistant coach. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

The College said Destiny Gardner and Varick Lawrence were esteemed alumni and deeply engaged with the Stillman family and broader community.

Gardner was Miss Stillman 2021-2022, a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and served on the UNCF National Pre-Alumni Council.

She worked as a juvenile officer at the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center in DeKalb County, Georgia and shared a son with the third victim, Lawrence.

Lawrence was also a baseball player and graduated in 2023. He worked on Atlanta as a coach and was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life of two former student-athletes, Sieas Elliot and Varick Lawrence, and Miss Destiny Gardner. The Department of Athletics wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family of these young persons whom all had an invaluable imprint on Stillman College. Their legacy will live on at Stillman through the relationships they formed while here,” said Terrance Whittle, director of athletics and former head baseball coach from 2018-2025. “Personally my heart will forever mourn with the families as well as celebrate the lives of Varick and Sieas. I had the honor of having them as two of my hundreds of sons I have coached. I will never forget the spirit and connectedness of heart and brotherhood they brought to my life and all those that walked with us. We ask for prayers at this time for their families. As we mourn as a community, we will also remember and celebrate lives well lived."

Jean Wilson, Director of Alumni Affairs, also mourned the tragic loss.

“Varick and Destiny embodied the spirit of Stillman College—determined, compassionate, and always striving for excellence. As alumni, they continued to uplift others and set examples of leadership in their communities. Their loss is deeply felt among the alumni family.”

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