Kennedy Reed is officially Dr. Kennedy Reed.
A 26-year-old Ph.D. candidate who died in a car crash earlier this month has been posthumously awarded her doctoral degree from the Washington University School of Medicine.
No charges have been filed in the Aug. 4 crash in north St. Louis that killed Reed, and authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
But while her family continues to grieve, they are also celebrating an academic achievement Reed spent years working toward.
Her mother, Portia Reed Carter, told First Alert 4 that she will accept Reed’s degree on her behalf.
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“She has been declared Dr. Kennedy Reed by Wash U officially,” Carter said. “And we will be accepting her Ph.D. degree in May 2027 at the hooding ceremony.”
Academic Success
Reed, a Mississippi native, began her doctoral studies in 2023 and was working toward completing her thesis when she died.
Her mentor, Felipe Ribeiro, said Reed stood out not only for her scientific talent, but also for her kindness toward those around her.
“She approached scientific questions with remarkable rigor and enthusiasm, while also bringing kindness, generosity and genuine care for those around her,” Ribeiro said.
Ananda Rankin, one of Reed’s classmates, said she will remember Reed for her thoughtfulness.
“No matter how long ago you mentioned something you wanted, needed, or were curious about, she would remember those small facts and already be working on a way to help you,” Rankin said.
Reed was also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
College Romance
Her fiancé, Steven Alphin, said Reed’s brilliance extended into every part of her life.
“How would you describe her? Brilliant, I mean. Literally, just brilliant,” Alphin said. “I mean, in all facets of everything that she did, every walk of life, every step as a daughter, as a significant other, as a friend, as an AKA, as a student, as a scientist.”
Alphin met Reed while they were attending Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi.
The couple was planning their wedding and building a life together in St. Louis.
“Just, I mean, being around her for me, it just made you want to do more and do better, honestly,” Alphin said. “That’s the biggest thing that I really miss, honestly. Just being around her.”
For Carter, Reed’s mother and only child, the loss has left a painful silence.
“What will you miss most about Kennedy? Her smile,” Carter told First Alert 4. “We talked every day. Just her personality and coming home, coming back to Mississippi. But most of all, the calls every day.”
Honoring Kennedy
Now, Washington University is working with Reed’s family to make sure her passion for science and mentorship continues.
The university established the Kennedy Reed Memorial Summer Program Scholarship for undergraduate research. The fund will sponsor two undergraduate students from Alcorn State University to participate in Washington University’s summer research experience.
For Carter, the scholarship lets her daughter’s work continue through the next generation of scientists.
“The biggest thing we want now is to keep Kennedy’s legacy alive,” Carter told First Alert 4.
And Alphin believes that legacy will continue through everyone Reed inspires.
“It’ll live on through other people who will pass the torch,” he said. “And it’ll continue to give at that point, so it’ll never die off.”
