A Message from iSchool Dean Elizabeth D. Liddy
I am so sorry to share with our iSchool community the very sad news that one of our undergraduate students, John C. Morse died this morning from an apparent fall. John was a senior in the iSchool with a double major in English & Textual Studies. John was a well-liked student, who had worked with Jeff Rubin’s Gate E Carrier Dome Student Operations group for the last three years, and was active with the Alibrandi Catholic Center, traveling to New Orleans for recovery projects after Hurricane Katrina.
Our hearts go out to John’s parents, family, friends, and fellow classmates. We are here for those of you who would like to talk, either at the Counseling Center (443-4715) or Hendricks Chapel (443-2901).
Those on campus are welcome to join us at 2:30 p.m. this afternoon at the Alibrandi Catholic Center, 110 Walnut Place, to share their warm memories of John.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth D. Liddy, dean
A Message from Chancellor Nancy Cantor
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
It is with deep sorrow that I inform you of the death of one of our undergraduate students, John C. Morse, who died early this morning from an apparent fall. John was a senior studying in the iSchool and The College of Arts and Sciences.
Our hearts go out to John’s family, friends, roommates, and the faculty and staff who knew him. The loss of a student is painful for all of us, and during a Commencement week filled with so much joy and promise, it reminds us how fragile life is. We know each of us is impacted by a tragedy like this in different ways. That is why we come to together to comfort those affected.
Our Student Affairs staff is providing support and counseling to those who had a personal connection to John. In addition, the University has a broad array of counseling services available to the campus community. The Counseling Center (443-4715), the Alibrandi Catholic Center (478-5959), Hendricks Chapel (443-2901), and the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (443-1087) are all available to anyone who feels he or she needs support.
During this very difficult time, our thoughts are with John’s loved ones and friends.
Cordially,
Nancy Cantor
A Message from Dean George Langford
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I cannot fully express how saddened I am by the recent loss of John Morse. I offer my deepest sympathy to his family and to all who are close to him. They can be assured that The College of Arts and Sciences is here for them.
It goes without saying that John was a beloved figure on campus, and especially so at the School of Information Studies and here in A&S, where he was pursuing his dual major. John’s A&S major, as many of you know, was English and Textual Studies. Department chair Erin Mackie, who John studied with last fall, recalls him as an exceptional student who absorbed and responded all he encountered. “He radiated openness, sensitivity, and good nature,” she told me. “His work was meticulous, thoughtful, and truly insightful.” Erin described John as a “truly lovely young man” as well as a top student.
Mike Goode, assistant professor of English, echoes these sentiments. “What I’ll always remember about John was his rapier wit and comic attitude,” Mike writes, adding that John exuded warmth and generosity to match. Mike first taught John during Spring 2007 in a Study Abroad course in Great Britain. Looking at class photos, he tells me that the pictures of John generally fall into either of two categories: candid shots, in which he seems unaware of the camera; and staged shots, where he is hamming it up with friends. “These pictures sum up what John was about: a dedicated student and winsome friend, as well as a person whose terrific sense of humor sometimes masked his intellectual and emotional depths. I’ll miss him deeply,” he says.
Experiencing the loss of a friend is so personal that few outside of the immediate circle can understand the particulars of the grief it causes. It may ease the sadness a bit to know that John is missed by all of us who knew him. I believe the expression of the kind words in our hearts are valuable to the healing process. When asked to comment on John’s passing, Dympna Callaghan, our Dean’s Professor of the Humanities, recalled a line from Shakespeare: “Alas, poor world, what treasure has thou lost.” These few words speak volumes about John, and about the friendships and love he inspired.
Most sincerely,
George M. Langford
Dean, The College of Arts and Sciences