Message from Chancellor Cantor on death of two SU students

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

It is with tremendous sadness that I write to inform you of the deaths of two SU students as a result of a car accident that occurred last night in Oneida County as they were traveling for the Thanksgiving break.

Wang Young Gun and Oh Saem, both first-year students in the School of Architecture, were killed in the accident. Two other SU students were traveling in the car at the time of the accident; both sustained injuries and were transported to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Utica for treatment and are expected to recover.

At a time when many of us are preparing to gather with family, friends and loved ones to joyously celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded of how precious and fragile life can be. The entire SU community’s deepest condolences are with Young and Saem’s families and friends as they cope with this tragic loss.

A tragedy like this is painful for all of us who are part of a campus community, and everyone is impacted differently. That is why we come together to comfort each other. We know the School of Architecture is especially affected, and our thoughts are with the students, faculty and staff there. We are working with Dean Mark Robbins to ensure the Architecture community has the resources they need during this difficult time.

Although classes are not in session during the Thanksgiving break, our Student Affairs staff is reaching out to provide counseling and support to those who had a personal connection to Young and Saem. In addition, for anyone who feels they need support, we have a wide array of counseling services available. The Counseling Center (443-4715), Hendricks Chapel (443-2901) and the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (443-1087) are being made available during the Thanksgiving break.

This morning our hearts go out to the Wang and Oh families and to all those affected by this tragedy.

With sadness,

Nancy Cantor