North Carolina A&T mourns beloved senior who tragically died after saving sister from drowning

North Carolina A&T State University is mourning Dorian Jackson, a 21‑year‑old beloved senior who drowned last Saturday after saving his sister at Lake Norman, a major recreational lake about 30 miles north of Charlotte.

The tragic incident occured after 7 p.m. local time at Hearthstone Court in Terrell, North Carolina.

Dorian Jackson died a hero

According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Jackson entered the water after his younger sister’s kayak overturned. Officials said he reached her and helped her stay afloat, but he did not resurface. Neighbors were able to pull the girl to shore after seeing the struggle. Crews recovered his body early Sunday morning.

Jackson was the oldest of eight children and a Greensboro native. He graduated from Dudley High School in 2023 and was known for discipline, focus and leadership.

North Carolina A&T Says Jackson Excelled in Academics and Leadership

University officials said Jackson studied marketing with a concentration in sales. Jackson earned recognition as a Cheatham‑White Scholar, one of A&T’s most competitive academic awards. On campus, he held roles in the Honors College, Student Government Association and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He also competed in a national Thurgood Marshall College Fund case competition, helping his team place third.

Before his untimely death, Jackson had accepted a full‑time position with Wells Fargo in Charlotte and was preparing to graduate in May.

Family Calls His Final Act ‘Extraordinary Love and Selflessness’

Jackson’s family released a statement describing his final moments as an expression of devotion:

“On September 19th, our son, Dorian Jackson, lost his life during an accidental kayaking event with his younger sister. Dorian’s heroic act this weekend at Lake Norman was one of extraordinary love and selflessness: saving his younger sister from drowning.”

North Carolina A&T said counseling and psychological services remain available for students, faculty and staff. A Meal Train has also been created to support the Jackson family during this time.

Jackson will be laid to rest this weekend.