I realize that this doesn't affect most of you but I know that there are several Hopkins alumni on here. An undergrad was murdered on January 22. This one seems to be a suicide.
February 7, 2005
Dear Students, Parents, Faculty and Staff,
The Johns Hopkins community has suffered another grievous wound. This
morning, sophomore Dominic Ferrara was found dead in his room in Wolman
Hall. Baltimore police have told us there was no evidence of homicide.
Dominic, a dean's list student in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences,
was from Doylestown, Pa. We are offering his family our support and any
assistance they may need.
We do not know precisely what led to this terrible occurrence. We do know,
however, that it pains us deeply. At a time when we already stand in
mourning for one life taken far too soon, we are asked somehow to cope
with the loss of another. It is incomprehensible. It seems too much to
bear.
And yet somehow we must find the strength to bear it. I firmly believe
that such strength comes not only from within ourselves, but also from
within our community. We must stand together, console each other, support
each other and, most importantly, look out for each other.
I held a meeting this afternoon with student leaders to talk about how we
might come closer together as a community, both to commemorate Dominic's
life and somehow to ease, at least a little, the pain we feel. The deans
and I will be available over the coming days to visit groups of students
for conversations on the same subject. Please watch for announcements or
check with your RAs for details as they are determined.
It is important now to reflect on how to help ourselves and others in
times of distress. The most important thing to remember, whether you are
concerned about yourself or about someone else, is this: You are not
alone. Get help. It's not in any way a sign of weakness to do so. It's
simply the right thing to do, and it makes a difference.
Help is available from many sources. One good place to start is with RAs
and other Residential Life staff. Another is the Counseling Center, which
you can reach at 410-516-8278. In emergencies after hours, the center's
on-duty counselor can be reached through Security at 410-516-7777. I also
encourage students who wish to do so to consider speaking to our network
of peer counselors and to our campus ministers.
Last semester, the university sent information to students, faculty and
staff on how to recognize students in emotional distress and how to
respond. That material is available online, and I encourage you to review
it. The letter to students is at
http://webapps.jhu.edu/jhuniverse/today/ccenter.cfm
The material sent to faculty and staff, but with good information for
anyone, is at
http://www.jhu.edu/~ccenter/Distressed%20Students.htm
Arrangements for a memorial service for Dominic will be announced soon. In
the meantime, please join Wendy and me in finding some special way today
to honor his memory and his all-too-brief time among us. And please be
especially vigilant for opportunities that come your way to be helpful to
and supportive of each other.
Sincerely,
William R. Brody
February 7, 2005
Dear Students, Parents, Faculty and Staff,
The Johns Hopkins community has suffered another grievous wound. This
morning, sophomore Dominic Ferrara was found dead in his room in Wolman
Hall. Baltimore police have told us there was no evidence of homicide.
Dominic, a dean's list student in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences,
was from Doylestown, Pa. We are offering his family our support and any
assistance they may need.
We do not know precisely what led to this terrible occurrence. We do know,
however, that it pains us deeply. At a time when we already stand in
mourning for one life taken far too soon, we are asked somehow to cope
with the loss of another. It is incomprehensible. It seems too much to
bear.
And yet somehow we must find the strength to bear it. I firmly believe
that such strength comes not only from within ourselves, but also from
within our community. We must stand together, console each other, support
each other and, most importantly, look out for each other.
I held a meeting this afternoon with student leaders to talk about how we
might come closer together as a community, both to commemorate Dominic's
life and somehow to ease, at least a little, the pain we feel. The deans
and I will be available over the coming days to visit groups of students
for conversations on the same subject. Please watch for announcements or
check with your RAs for details as they are determined.
It is important now to reflect on how to help ourselves and others in
times of distress. The most important thing to remember, whether you are
concerned about yourself or about someone else, is this: You are not
alone. Get help. It's not in any way a sign of weakness to do so. It's
simply the right thing to do, and it makes a difference.
Help is available from many sources. One good place to start is with RAs
and other Residential Life staff. Another is the Counseling Center, which
you can reach at 410-516-8278. In emergencies after hours, the center's
on-duty counselor can be reached through Security at 410-516-7777. I also
encourage students who wish to do so to consider speaking to our network
of peer counselors and to our campus ministers.
Last semester, the university sent information to students, faculty and
staff on how to recognize students in emotional distress and how to
respond. That material is available online, and I encourage you to review
it. The letter to students is at
http://webapps.jhu.edu/jhuniverse/today/ccenter.cfm
The material sent to faculty and staff, but with good information for
anyone, is at
http://www.jhu.edu/~ccenter/Distressed%20Students.htm
Arrangements for a memorial service for Dominic will be announced soon. In
the meantime, please join Wendy and me in finding some special way today
to honor his memory and his all-too-brief time among us. And please be
especially vigilant for opportunities that come your way to be helpful to
and supportive of each other.
Sincerely,
William R. Brody
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