It is with great sadness that Bwog informs you of the passing of a fellow student, Sarah Elizabeth Matthews, a GS undergraduate majoring in History and Theory of Architecture. She was a kind member of the Columbia community, and she will be missed. Resources are available on campus for anyone who needs assistance during this time.

The email informing students of her passing has been transcribed below.

Dear Students,

It is with sadness that I share the following message with you, sent today by Tom Harford, dean of students in the School of General Studies.

Do not hesitate to reach out to your advising dean, residential adviser, student group adviser, Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), Office of the University Chaplain, or seek other available resources should you need support. Let me know if you have any difficulty getting the assistance you need. Please continue to take care of yourself and each other.

Sincerely,

Cristen Kromm
Dean of Undergraduate Student Life
Columbia College & The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science

Dear students,

It is with sadness that I write to share with you the news of the passing of GS undergraduate student, Sarah Elizabeth Matthews, who succumbed to a serious illness. Sarah joined us at the School of General Studies in the Spring of 2014 as a transfer student from Barnard College. She majored in the History and Theory of Architecture.She was kind, gentle, fiercely intelligent, and deeply humane.

We send our heartfelt condolences to Sarah’s family and friends during this very difficult time. Her father has informed us that gifts in Sarah’s memory can be made to City Harvest, an organization that combats food insecurity in New York City (http://www.cityharvest.org/donate-funds/honorary-memorial-gifts), or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Whenever we lose someone within our community, we are all affected, whether or not we know the person well. Please know that your academic advisor, the staff at Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), and members of the Office of the University Chaplain are all available to provide you with any additional support you may need at this time. I have listed contact information for these resources below.

If you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

With sympathy,
Tom Harford
Dean of Students