Campus & Community

Message From Chief Student Experience Officer Allen W. Groves

Monday, July 14, 2025, By News Staff

Dear Members of the Orange Community:

It is with profound sadness that I write to remember two members of our Syracuse University community, whose lives were cut short last Thursday when they were struck by a vehicle at the intersection of University Avenue and East Adams Street.

Both individuals were international graduate students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science who came to Syracuse to advance their academic careers. They were accomplished scholars with wide-ranging interests—spanning electrical engineering and bioinstrumentation to computer science, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Each brought deep curiosity, purpose and talent to their studies and their research. They will leave a lasting impact on our academic community.

The University has been in contact with their families. In keeping with the families’ wishes, we are not sharing the students’ names at this time. Still, we grieve their loss deeply and extend our heartfelt condolences to their loved ones, friends and all who knew them.

On behalf of Chancellor Kent Syverud, Interim Provost Lois Agnew, College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean J. Cole Smith, Graduate School Dean Peter Vanable and the entire Orange community, we offer our full support and deepest sympathies during this time of sorrow.

I recognize that this is a difficult moment for many in our community, including those who may have witnessed the accident. Please know that a range of resources is available, and I encourage everyone to check in with one another and seek support as needed:

  • Students can receive confidential counseling 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Barnes Center at The Arch by calling 315.443.8000.
  • For general ongoing assistance, students can contact Student Outreach and Support Monday through Friday at 315.443.4357.
  • Faculty and staff can reach trained clinicians 24 hours a day through Carebridge, the University’s Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, by calling 800.437.0911.
  • All campus community members can access additional services and support through Hendricks Chapel and each chaplaincy by calling 315.443.2901.

Please join me in offering heartfelt condolences to the families and friends grieving this immense loss.

With sadness,

Allen W. Groves
Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer