There is one missing place in Oakwood University's class of 2012 which will never be filled.

But yesterday the university's president assured Kellon Hill's family the stabbing victim would not be forgotten during their celebrations — and presented them with a medal in recognition of the graduation they hoped he would have won in four years' time.

Last week, proud parents Gail and Daniel Hill should have been flying to Huntsville, Alabama, along with their 18-year-old son who was poised to begin his new life as a business student.

Instead, it was university president Delbert Baker making the trip to Bermuda to pay tribute at Mr. Hill's funeral and express sorrow on behalf of all the young people who would have been his classmates and friends.

Mr. Baker told the congregation at Southampton Seventh-day Adventist Church that registration week was currently ongoing at the university.

"There is someone missing from that group this week. His name is Kellon Hill," said Mr. Baker. "He filled out all his papers, he registered properly, he was accepted, he was cleared and his appearance was anticipated.

"He was to follow in that proud tradition, that legacy. But, alas, an enemy came in the way and snatched him from that course. He has not died in vain. His legacy will live, even though he was a young man. His example, his morals, his values, will teach us."

Mr. Baker then produced a medal which he said was always given to Oakwood graduates and handed it over to the family, saying: "By faith and belief that he would have graduated."

He also presented a pile of sympathy cards from the young people who would have been Mr. Hill's classmates, many of whom he had never met, and revealed the victim's name would be etched onto a memorial for former Oakwood students.

Other people paying tribute included Mr. Hill's aunt Lois Tucker, principal at his school Bermuda Institute.

She told how the cheeky youngster would try to take advantage of the fact his principal was his aunt by sneaking into her office by the back door and asking for money to buy food.