CHAPEL HILL - Lisa Moran was days away from returning to her native Scotland when a bus struck and killed her Thursday morning.

Moran, a third-year student in law and economics at Glasgow University, had come to Chapel Hill in January to spend a semester studying at the UNC School of Law.

"We are deeply saddened by this news, and our sincerest condolences go out to all of her friends and family, both here and in her native Scotland," law school Dean Jack Boger wrote in a letter to law students, staff and faculty.

Hailing from the city of Paisley in Renfrewshire county just southwest of Glasgow, Moran had grown to love "the sunny city of Chapel Hill," according to her online profile at bebo.com. Law school exams ended May 2, but she had planned to stay nearly three weeks longer.

In her few months in North Carolina, she became a fan of Tar Heel basketball, peanut butter, s'mores, the TV show "Girlicious," Starbucks caramel lattes, French martinis and 25-cent beers from the East End Martini Bar on Franklin Street.

"[I] have decided I am never coming back to Paisley, land of rain," she wrote. "Although I miss my friends and family the most ... so if I could just move u all out here that would be ideal, thanks."

Police are still investigating the accident to learn exactly what happened.

Moran died while jogging near UNC Hospitals. Her death underscored some medical students' concerns about pedestrian safety on Manning Drive. A bridge across the street is planned near the accident scene, though using it would require taking an elevator or climbing a long staircase from the sidewalk.

Moran loved skiing and snowboarding, gymnastics, dancing and squash -- a sport in which her younger brother Kevin is one of Scotland's top young players.

"I love sport so will try anything, really!!" she wrote.

She enjoyed the Harry Potter books, written after author J.K. Rowling left England for Scotland.

"Not the films because they totally spoil it," she wrote. "Call me a sado if you like, I don't care!"

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