St. Thomas launches study abroad fund in honor of slain student

Slain St. Thomas senior honored with celebration of life service

Friends, family and classmates gathered inside the chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas in St. Paul on Memorial Day to honor the life of Charlie Johnson.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The University of St. Thomas is launching a fund to honor the adventurous spirit of the senior who was shot and killed in downtown Minneapolis last month.

Charlie Johnson was set to graduate in mechanical engineering just hours after he was gunned down. His sister instead walked at the graduation ceremony and accepted his diploma on his behalf.

Sister walks graduation stage for University of St. Thomas student killed in shooting

The sister of a student at the University of St. Thomas walked the stage in his place Saturday after the young man was killed in a shooting in Minneapolis, hours before the graduation ceremony.

Johnson had a love of travel, studying in New Zealand and Rome during college, according to the university. With the launch of "The Charlie Fund," donations will go toward helping other students achieve their study abroad dreams.

According to the university, Johnson's final entry in his sketchbook was a quote from quote from the philosopher Lao Tzu, "A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving."

For donation information, click here.

University of St. Thomas Minneapolis St. Paul