The University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business mourns the death of esteemed alumna Cheslie Kryst.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Cheslie Kryst,” said Moore School dean Peter Brews. “Cheslie was an inspiration and a role model not only to our students at the University of South Carolina but to countless people across the nation and around the world. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cheslie’s family, friends and loved ones.”

Kryst, a 2013 marketing and human resource management graduate, won the Miss USA title in 2019. After graduating from the Moore School and the South Carolina Honors College, Kryst earned her J.D. and MBA from Wake Forest University. She planned to use her law degree to help reform the United States justice system. After earning the Miss USA title, she paused her civil litigation work to serve as Miss USA full time before becoming a correspondent on Extra.

In 2019, the Moore School announced it would recognize Kryst as the 2020 Young Alumni Award recipient, a designation given to alumni under the age of 40 who are making a substantial and positive impact, at its annual Leadership Awards. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the awards ceremony was postponed until March 2022. Kryst will be honored posthumously at the event.

“Cheslie embodied what it means to be a USC graduate and Gamecock,” said Mary Ruffin Childs, senior director of alumni engagement at the Moore School. “She distinguished herself by becoming Miss USA while also starting a prominent legal career. It will be fitting for the Moore School to honor her, where she will join an esteemed group of distinguished award recipients.”