British physicist Stephen Hawking dies aged 76

Hawking was an undergraduate at Oxford University, but he is more closely associated with Cambridge University. He studied for his PhD at Trinity Hall and became a fellow at Gonville and Caius College and he maintained a close connection with it for the rest of his life.

Gonville and Caius College lowered its flag to half-mast in honor of its fellow on Wednesday and opened a book of condolences in the porter's lodge. The college was among the earliest at Cambridge to be made wheelchair-accessible, partly so it could better accommodate Hawking.

Olivia Vanstone, a 20-year-old student in her second year at Gonville and Caius College, said she was shocked to hear of Hawking's death.

"I think he was very lucky to live such a fulfilled life," she said. "I think he was predicted to live two years after his diagnosis, so, to die at the age of 76, I think we shouldn't be in mourning, as such, but celebrating the successful life he lived."

Leonard Ng, 31, an engineering student from Singapore studying for a PhD, said Hawking was an inspiration among PhD students at Cambridge.

"He's taught me tenacity, just to push on, mental discipline in general and to achieve the objectives I want in life, especially academically," Ng said.