Newton DMACC professor killed in Des Moines hit-and-run

The woman identified as killed in a hit-and-run crash Sunday morning in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines had a local connection to Newton. The victim, identified Monday as Lauren Rice by the Des Moines Police Department, taught English and literature at DMACC Newton Campus for the past 10 years.

The DMACC community announced the same day it is mourning the loss of its longtime English department professor, who began her career in the Ankeny campus before teaching primarily in Newton.

Rice was also the coordinator of the DMACC London Study Abroad Program. She had recently returned early from England alongside fellow instructor Bethany Sweeney, of the Carroll campus, and 23 DMACC students participating in the spring 2020 abroad program.

Last week, Rice had emerged from a self-quarantine in her home following her return overseas. During her tenure at DMACC, Rice also helped lead the annual DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts Festival and hosted events with award-winning authors at the Newton campus, administrators said in a news release.

Rob Denson, president of DMACC, said faculty and students are incredibly saddened by the tragic and senseless loss, describing Rice as a beloved member of the DMACC community and impacted the lives of several students throughout the years.

“I knew Lauren best for her service as a DMACC Group Leader for English, and I always enjoyed her participation because you always knew when Lauren was in the room,” Denson said. “She was very smart, and fought for her students and quality instruction. Those meetings will not be the same.”

On behalf of the entire DMACC family, Denson extended deep condolences to Rice’s family, friends, students, colleagues and all who knew her. Joe DeHart, provost of Newton DMACC, said Rice was an exception teacher and had great passion for her students.

“She worked hard to help students understand and appreciate the English language and realized the value of literature and writing in helping students make connections with the world around them,” DeHart said. “Her interest and passion for learning was infectious.”

On London trips, Rice’s students learned of British literature while visiting the real-life settings of novels and authors’ birthplaces and hometowns. DeHart said Rice delighted to witness her students’ experiences, and she was a “wonderful, energetic and collaborative leader” on the Newton campus.

“Most recently, she was mentoring and helping other faculty transition to online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “She believed very strongly in creating an inclusive and diverse atmosphere that welcomed all students, and her impact on their lives was profound.”

DeHart said Rice loved language and so often knew the right words to say.

“But we are simply at a loss to express how much she will be missed.”