Dear faculty, staff, and students,

I am writing today to share some very sad news. We recently learned that economics major Tinotenda Nyandoro passed away on September 12 after a car crash in his home country of Zimbabwe. Over the past week, we have been reaching out to his family and his close friends and associates at Stanford to offer our condolences. Tino left a deep impression on many here; we are sharing this message with everyone so we can join together in extending care and kindness to those who knew and loved him.

Tino came to Stanford in fall 2020 to pursue a college degree while simultaneously searching for ways to help others follow in his footsteps. In just two short years, he forged connections with many organizations whose work focuses on providing access to higher education. For example, as a Robert A. Strauss Foundation scholarship recipient, he was making plans to create a new program to train teachers in Zimbabwe to help their students through the college application process. “Tino’s zeal and tenacity towards our home country instilled hope and inspired all of us to get out of our comfort zone and be impactful to our communities,” shared friend and fellow Stanford student Wayne Chinganga.

At Stanford, the Center for African Studies was Tino’s second home, and many there are heartbroken by news of his loss. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to this group of loyal friends and mentors. He also leaves behind friends in the economics department and the communities where he lived and studied, including EVGR-A Duan Family Hall, Rinconada, Terra, the Equity, Access, and Society Theme (EAST) House, the Leland Scholars Program, and the Bing Overseas Study Program in Cape Town. Tino worked as a tech desk consultant at the Lathrop Learning Hub throughout his two years at Stanford. “He thoroughly loved the hands-on work at the desk and was an integral part of our community. Tino walked into the Hub with a massive smile every day and was always ready with a witty comeback to keep his managers and fellow consultants on our toes. Myself and our community will deeply miss him,” Learning Hub Services Manager Lena Giger shared.

Tino did all these things while shouldering considerable responsibilities at home, such as working to pay school fees for his siblings. “His life could be all kinds of chaos, but he never wore it on his face,” wrote friend and fellow student Takudzwa Caitano. “He would steer his focus towards the lighter side of things and taught me to do the same. ‘There is always more in life to be thankful for than there is to complain about,’ he would often say.”

Tino’s professional and personal interests included management consulting, writing, and traveling. He spent this past summer as an EY-Parthenon Business Consulting and Services intern in New York City. Fadzi Muzhandu, a public engagement specialist at the U.S. Embassy Harare, shared, “Tino did not do anything in small measure. He had a big heart, big dreams and ideas, a big personality and was not afraid to be seen or heard.”

Losing someone who came so far to join our community while demonstrating a deep commitment to helping others is heartbreaking. Please keep in mind that the university has counseling resources available for students, and for faculty and staff. Additionally, we have new guidance for instructors and teaching assistants about supporting classes and labs.

Sincerely,

Susie Brubaker-Cole
Vice Provost for Student Affairs