Eric D. Lawrence and Katrease Stafford

Detroit Free Press Staff Writers

Selfless leadership and a smile.

Those are things that Kate Calabresa Murray, the principal at Grosse Pointe North High School, remembers most about Dr. Craig Spencer, a North graduate at the center of the latest Ebola drama in the U.S.

Spencer, 33, who also graduated in 2008 from the Wayne State University School of Medicine, tested positive for Ebola in New York on Thursday after returning from Guinea, where he had been treating patients.

Murray said no one is surprised that he was "serving selflessly in Africa," working with Doctors without Borders.

"He graduated in 1999, but everyone remembers him here because of his selfless leadership," Murray said, pausing occasionally to remain composed at a clearly emotional time.

Spencer, who also attended Parcells Middle School in Grosse Pointe Woods, always had a smile.

"I don't think Craig Spencer ever had a bad day at Grosse Pointe North," Murray said.

Spencer played hockey and was a member of the National Honor Society, which Murray noted has four pillars — scholarship, character, leadership and service.

Spencer was "an incredibly vibrant leader at this school," who was well-known and well-liked. He had a "maturity beyond his years that allowed him to connect with his teachers as well," she said.

Murray said staff members have been discussing ways they can support Spencer and his family, and send along their thoughts and :prayers.

"We're sure that he'll approach this challenge with the same energy and enthusiasm that he always shared in the halls of Grosse Pointe North High School," she said.

Murray was asked if Spencer's desire to help others would be something students would be encouraged to emulate in light of criticism

"I think we encourage students to be thoughtful leaders concerned with the well-being of their community and the communities beyond their own," she said.

Andrea Spencer, Craig Spencer's sister, posted on her personal Facebook account that her brother is her hero and "other half." She said her brother loves helping others.

"I've never been one to ask, but people reading this, my family needs your prayers," she wrote.

On a local news media outlet's Facebook page, Andrea Spencer commented that her brother did not travel back to Detroit after leaving Africa.

"He was in the States for a very short time and the moment he felt any type of sickness, he went to the hospital," she wrote.

According to Craig Spencer's Facebook page, he left for West Africa via Brussels in mid-September. A photo shows him in full protective gear. Spencer returned from Guinea more than a week ago and came down with a 103-degree fever and diarrhea Thursday. He is the fourth confirmed case of Ebola in the U.S. and the first in New York.

Health officials have been tracing Spencer's contacts to identify anyone who might be at risk. His fiancee, identified as Morgan Dixon, and two friends had been quarantined but showed no symptoms.

According to a wedding announcement online, Spencer and Dixon are set to wed in Detroit at Belle Isle in September 2015. The couple met in China and have "traveled the world" together, according to the site, which describes Spencer as a "goofball" and "go-getter," gifted in both art, music and science.

In a phone interview with the Free Press, Vancouver resident Patrick Crossman described his friend of more than seven years as "one of the most caring and genuine people he knows." Crossman, an avid traveler, said he met Spencer in Detroit after connecting with him on a website for travelers.

"He invited me to stay in his home," said Crossman, 32. "He's a really positive and outgoing person. He's very humble as well. He loves to be out there making a difference."

When they first met, Spencer had just returned from teaching English in China, which speaks to Spencer's selfless nature, Crossman said. He said this was not the first time Spencer traveled to Africa.

"As an emergency doctor, he has a pretty serious role in society and you never know what's going to walk in that door, but Craig has the personality and ability to deal with it and he knows what needs to be done.," Crossman said. "He's aware of the risks, but ultimately, he's all about putting people before himself. He recognizes that he has some really good skills and has a certain way with people."

Crossman has not spoken with Spencer since his diagnosis, but he's hopeful his friend will make a fast recovery.

"It's going to take some time, but he's young, he' s very active and physically fit," he said. "I know he's going to pull through. I wouldn't be surprised if after a month or two, he'll be back over doing what he does best. There's no doubt he's in the best place he can be right now. He's going to be back on top really soon."

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence