WU mourns the loss of student

Editor’s Note: In addition to resources on campus, Oregon’s 988 crisis line is available if you or someone you know is facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just needs someone to talk to. Marion County also offers 24/7 support for anyone in crisis.

The Willamette community is grieving a student who died on campus over the weekend.

The Salem Police Department responded Saturday to a report that the student in question was found deceased in a residence hall that day. The Collegian, as a public-facing news organization, is not naming the student at this time at the family’s request. The incident appears to be isolated, and police officials said there’s no known threat to campus.

Community members gathered Saturday night in Ford Hall to remember the student.

“Our community is bound together by our connections with one another,” President Steve Thorsett wrote in an email to students and employees. “In moments of loss, that bond matters more than ever. Please be gentle with yourselves and with one another.”

Another event will be held for students and employees on Wednesday, April 22, as an opportunity for processing grief.

Vice President of Student Affairs Lisa Landreman’s office will be collecting letters of condolence to be sent to the student’s family through April 17.

Thorsett and Landreman shared several resources available on campus: 

Counseling support at Bishop Wellness Center: 503-370-6062 

WUTalk, a free and confidential 24/7 crisis line: (503) 375-5353.

Uwill — Willamette University provides students up to 4 individual counseling sessions with a licensed provider every year. 

University Chaplain Ken Wytsma can be reached at kwytsma@willamette.edu.

Students can contact Justin Liebowitz, Assistant Dean for Community Care and Inclusion at jleibowitz@willamette.edu for support. 

Resources for faculty and staff are available on Willamette’s Human Resources website.