By ELIZABETH
VALENTIN
Arts Editor
and
KYLE PRATT
Managing Editor
The College of Saint Rose campus received the heartbreaking news that Julia White, a freshman, had passed away on Monday, April 16.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the passing of one of our students,” President Stefanco said in an email to students, “Our hearts are broken with the news of this loss.”
This passing left the school’s community mourning her while trying to find ways to remember her. Those who knew White personally have been having a particularly difficult week since the announcement was made.
White was a member of The Geeks of the Round Table, known as “Geeks,” the College’s board and video game club.
“We at Geeks mourn the loss of one of our own,” said Nikos Assimakopoulos, president of Geeks, “Her witty responses in debates, passionate participation in the games we all knew so well, were always welcome.”
The club considered White a member of their family, and said she liked to talk about anime and was “a skilled player at many games.”
White’s attendance was low in the Spring semester, but club members were always happy to see her when she arrived.
“We’ve lost a member of our family,” Assimakopoulos said.
Club members will be taking time at every meeting for the rest of the semester to remember White.
“I, along with the rest of the club, send out my regards to her family, and extend open arms to anyone who needs support in this tragedy,” Assimakopoulos said.
Another person who knew White personally was Shannon Crotty, who was also involved with Identity. Crotty spoke about White and mentioned the smiles that they would exchange with one another every Wednesday as they passed one another.
“Her smile was more in her eyes than in her mouth,” said Crotty. “She had a personality and a smile that would warm your heart.”
One of Crotty’s favorite memories of White was when they were able to celebrate White’s birthday at an Identity meeting. Crotty says that it was something special “because she shared her birthday with me.”
“I feel like I should have known her more,” she said. “I wish we could have talked more than just on Wednesdays.”
Before White’s name was released, people were left confused. Brian Rowe, a junior, is an RA in Lima Hall. He explained that the initial reaction people had was fear, which was especially prominent in Lima Hall, which is a housing option for first year students.
“People weren’t sure what happened, who it was. People were scared. They weren’t sure if it was someone they usually see in the halls,” he said.
Once her name was announced, the campus came together for a memorial to honor White that evening in the Interfaith Sanctuary, where more people were present than there were seats.
“Spiritual Life did an awesome job at making it tangible, to show how much of an impact she made on our campus community,” said Rowe.
White and Row both lived in the same building, and they were also in the clarinet choir together.
Rowe recalled meeting White during the first week of classes at the music department’s ensemble auditions. He remembered White being the only new person in the room before the auditions.
“I introduced myself, said ‘Hi, my name’s Brian. It’s nice to meet you’ and she said the same.” She explained that she was nervous, and he gave her advice because he had gone through this process of six semesters already.
“It was a great way to meet her,” he said.
Rowe also recalled how humble and down to earth White was.
“She would always say great things about other people’s music, but always downplayed her own ability.”
When speaking with Professor Lenore Snow, she told Rowe that she was just starting to see White become more comfortable at school.
While the people who knew White have been going through mourning on a more personal level, the campus has shown support for one another.
President of the Youth Education Association (YEA), Nicholas Rivera, felt that there was something he should do, despite not knowing White personally.
After hearing about the tragedy, Rivera sent out an email to members of YEA, in which he explained that there are support systems available for people who might be going through a particularly difficult time.
Rivera also commented on the high levels of support that member of the Saint Rose campus have been providing for one another.
“I love what the school is doing. I love that they’re putting the effort to show everyone that she wasn’t alone,” he said.
He explained that we need to continue to support one another as we move forward. He takes this beyond support within the Saint Rose campus.
“As a Saint Rose community, we need to keep supporting,” Rivera said.
Rowe advised that people who are going through a difficult time should always talk to someone they trust.
“Don’t keep things in the confines of your own brain,” Rowe said. He also recommends that students become and stay aware of who on campus are confidential sources. RAs, professors, and college faculty are mandated reporters if someone says something that provides a reason to believe there is a risk of danger to anyone.
The counseling center and spiritual life staff are confidential sources who are also available for students.
There is also support simply within the community that exists at Saint Rose. That has become particularly evident in the way that people have come together during this tragic time.
“To see the amount of pure goodness and community that I’ve been able to see, it’s a testament to the Saint Rose community,” said Rowe.
