Ella Mills, a GS third-year who came to Columbia from Trinity College Dublin, has passed away, according to an email from Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch.

Content warning: mentions of death

On Tuesday afternoon, Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch informed students that Ella Mills, a third-year student at GS, passed away earlier this week while on a trip with the Columbia University Whitewater Kayaking Club. According to Dean Rosen-Metsch, Mills died in a kayaking accident on the Potomac River outside of Washington DC. during a visit with the club. The full text of her announcement can be found below. 

Mills, a Dublin native and student of Columbia’s dual BA program with Trinity College Dublin, had only recently arrived on Columbia’s campus after completing her English Studies coursework. While at Trinity, Mills was an active member of the Trinity College Dublin Drama Society, the DU Players, the Trinity College Dublin Tennis Club, and the Philosophical Society. In her announcement, Dean Rosen-Mestch wrote that Mills “had a love for learning, was intellectually curious, and passionate about literature—eager to soak in new ways of looking at literature and viewing the world as a literary scholar.” She is survived by her parents and two siblings. 

In light of Mills’ death, GS will host a community reflection today from 5 to 7 pm in the Peter J. Awn GS Student Lounge on the third floor of Lewisohn Hall. Members of GS Wellbeing Team and CPS will be present at the event, and will be available for drop-in hours in 408 Lewisohn Hall tomorrow from 2 to 4 pm. The GS Wellbeing team will also be available all day today for walk-in appointments in 403 Lewisohn Hall.

Email from Dean Lisa Rosen-Mestch to GS students on September 18, 2023 at 2:19 pm: 

Dear GS Students,

I am heartbroken to inform you of the loss of a member of our Columbia GS community, Ella Mills, who died in a kayaking accident on the Potomac River near Washington D.C. while on a trip with the Columbia University Whitewater Kayaking Club.

Originally from Dublin, Ella was just beginning her journey at Columbia University as a third-year student in our Dual BA Program with Trinity College Dublin. She arrived in New York earlier this month to begin her studies at Columbia, having completed her English Studies coursework in Dublin. Ella had a love for learning, was intellectually curious, and passionate about literature—eager to soak in new ways of looking at literature and viewing the world as a literary scholar. She was an active member of the Trinity College Dublin community as part of the Trinity College Dublin drama society, the DU Players, the Trinity College Dublin Tennis Club, and the Philosophical Society, among many others. She is survived by her loving parents, brother, and sister. Our thoughts and compassion are with them at this very difficult time.

We will be hosting a community reflection this evening from 5-7 p.m. in the Peter J. Awn GS Student Lounge in Lewisohn Hall (3rd floor), for all students and members of our community who wish to attend. We will have members of the GS Wellbeing Team and Columbia Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) present to provide support as needed. They will also be available tomorrow from 2-4 p.m. in 408 Lewisohn Hall for support and reflection. Additionally, the GS Wellbeing team will be available all day today for walk-in appointments in 403 Lewisohn Hall. 

To our GS community—we are grieving with you and holding Ella and her family and friends in our thoughts and hearts. Our entire staff at Columbia GS, as well as our colleagues throughout the campus, are available to offer continued support to you. I have listed contact information and additional resources below. 

With deepest sorrow,

Lisa Rosen-Metsch

Dean and Professor

The GS Wellbeing Team 

The Wellbeing team is available all day for walk-in appointments in 403 Lewisohn Hall, to offer support and guidance. They can also be con gshealthandwellness@columbia.edu

Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS)

CPS provides 24/7 phone support available through on-call service, which is accessed by calling (212) 854-2878 and following the recorded directions.

Center for Religious Life

The Earl Hall Center for Religious Life may be reached for spiritual counseling at (646) 906-5913 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET and by appointment after hours and during the weekends). For those on campus, Earl Hall and Saint Paul’s Chapel are open from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, for prayer and reflection.

Office of University Life

universitylife.columbia.edu

Columbia campus via Bwarchives