A Wayne State University student died while on an outing during a medical relief trip. Taniform Abongwa drowned Sunday, March 6, in Ecuador, according to the university. He was a first-year medical student at Wayne State's School of Medicine. \"I am terribly saddened to report a tragedy involving one of our medical students,\" wrote Maryjean Schenk, interim associate dean for academic and student programs, in a message Tuesday. \"He was a very friendly, caring and compassionate person.\" The student was at a beach near the village of Muisne when the accident happened. Abongwa was one of 12 medical students who arrived in Ecuador March 3 to volunteer at hospitals as part of a spring-break program.