Junior Michael Lee died in a boating accident in Geneva, Switzerland on June 19. Lee was an avid competitor on the tennis team. He received All-UAA honors from the Athletic Association championships.
Memorial services were held in Flossomer, Ill. on July 7.
Community services are being planned by Father Brian Cool, Director of the Catholic Newman Community at Interfaith Chapel, in collaboration with the tennis team.
UR Staff flew to Berlin where Lee was studying with the Rochester-in-Berlin program to help Lee’s friends cope with the loss.
In July, Kesha Atkins also died from untimely causes. Atkins had finished her Take-Five program and was in Brooklyn, N.Y. at the time of her death.
Services were held on July 21 and 22 in Brooklyn at Fenimore United Methodist Church. The Reverend Greg Parris, Director of UR Christian Fellowship, is working with the Office of Minority Student Affairs to plan a memorial for Atkins.
Dean of Students Jody Asbury has met with UR community members affected by these two losses.
“We have met with both the tennis coaches and athletic staff and made staff available over the summer to students here to their friends – both Kesha’s and Michael’s – to make sure that we have made support available,” Asbury said.
She ensured that this support will continue. “We will continue to make support available to these students.”
Students in need of support can contact the University Counseling Center.
“These have been great and heavy losses for us. These students were outstanding members of our community and our hearts are incredibly heavy because of this loss,” Asbury said. “They have both left a remarkable [impact] on the College and we will miss them deeply.”
Also, a construction worker, 21-year-old Brandon McLane of Henrietta died on campus while working on utility lines when the walls of the trench he was in gave way, burying him up to his shoulders.
Health Administrators investigated the cause and rain may have played a role in the accident.Tanner can be reached at rtanner@campustimes.org
