A first-year law student died unexpectedly Wednesday after dealing with an illness, said Jackie Grosso, director of communications for the College of Law.

The illness of the student, Jamie Wood, 28, as well as how long Wood had been struggling with it, was not identified in an e-mail from Chancellor Nancy Cantor to the Syracuse University community Thursday.

Wood earned a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and lived in Pittsburgh, Pa., Grosso said.

“Sadly, this is one of the first students in the College of Law to pass away,” Grosso said. “We’re following the university recommendations and doing what we think students, faculty and staff will find most supportive.”

Juscelino Colares, an associate professor in the College of Law who taught Wood last semester, said he last saw Wood two weeks ago to discuss how the semester was going. He said Wood looked fine, “as any other student.”

Colares would not disclose Wood’s illness as he said he does not think it is his place to.

“He was a vibrant young man,” Colares said. “He was someone I really respected.”

College of Law Dean Hannah Arterian directed comment on Wood’s death to Grosso. Arterian is arranging grief counselors to be available for law students. In addition, room 441 in the College of Law will be set up as a place for quiet reflection, and there will be a memory book added to the college’s website for those wishing to leave messages of support to Wood’s family and friends, Grosso said.

Wood’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the College of Law in Wood’s memory, Grosso said.

“It is very kind and generous of them,” she said.

“Our hearts go out to Jamie’s family, friends, and the faculty and staff who knew him,” Cantor said in the e-mail. “The loss of a member of the campus community is painful for all of us, and everyone is affected differently. That is why we reach out to comfort each other.”

 

Published on April 7, 2010 at 12:00 pm