The Des Moines Area Community College community is mourning the loss of Lauren Rice, a longtime member of the DMACC English Department and coordinator of the DMACC London Study Abroad Program. Rice was killed by a hit-and-run driver while walking her dog on Sunday in the Beaverdale neighborhood in Des Moines. Rice taught English and literature courses on the DMACC Newton Campus for the past 10 years, as well as on the College’s Ankeny Campus earlier in her career. She also helped lead the annual DMACC Celebration of Literary Arts Festival, hosting events with award-winning authors on the Newton Campus. Rice recently returned early from England on the DMACC Spring 2020 London Study Abroad Program. Just last week, she had emerged from a self-quarantine at home following her return. “We are incredibly saddened by the tragic and senseless loss of Professor Lauren Rice, who was a beloved member of our DMACC community and who impacted the lives of many DMACC students throughout the years,” DMACC President Rob Denson said in a statement.