Gusmorino said she has varied interests in theater, and has participated in everything from singing and dancing to designing costumes for the freshman musical.

But Palmer-Sherman's enthusiasm is not limited to drama.

"She is a very artistic person....She just loves to express herself through art, singing and drawing the most amazing doodles during class," said Elizabeth R. Kessler '01, who met Palmer-Sherman through their work at Harvard Hillel.

Friends of Palmer-Sherman spoke of the hours she spent at Hillel both as the co-chair of the Hillel Dramatic Society and in other capacities.

She is "passionate about her religion," said incoming Hillel Chair Benjamin Z. Galper '02, also a blockmate of Palmer-Sherman.

Across the campus yesterday, students came together to deal with the shock, confusion and sadness they felt.

The largest gathering took place at an evening meeting at Hillel, where an estimated 250 students gathered with counselors from University Health Services (UHS) and the Bureau of Study Counsel.