CC sophomore Giovanna Canonici has passed away, according to an email from Dean Josef Sorett. 

Content warning: Mentions of death 

On Wednesday morning, Dean Josef Sorett announced the recent passing of CC sophomore Giovanna Canonici. The full text of the email can be found below. 

Canonici was an international student from Brazil interested in astronomy, rocketry, and space science. After arriving at Columbia as a science research fellow, she also participated in the Columbia Space Initiative, and hoped to use science to improve humanity across the world. Her adviser stated that “Giovanna’s passion for science and humanity manifested in her curiosity, kindness and empathy.”

This evening from 5 to 7 pm, the main lounge of Schapiro Hall will be used as a space for community members to gather in reflection. Staff from the Religious Life and Counseling and Psychological Services offices will be present. 

Dean Sorett’s email contains a list of resources to help students process this tragedy and access support if needed. He emphasized the importance of the Columbia community taking care of themselves and supporting one another.

Email from Dean Joef Sorett to students at 11:45am on Wednesday, October 11: 

Dear Students, 

I write this morning with sadness to share news of the death of Columbia College sophomore, and Schapiro Hall resident, Giovanna Canonici. There is no good way to share this kind of information with you, and I recognize that these types of messages are never easy to receive.

An international student from Brazil, Giovanna was fascinated by astronomy, rocketry and space science from childhood. She arrived at Columbia as a science research fellow to pursue her passion and curiosity, while also joining the Columbia Space Initiative. She hoped to use science to improve humanity, and her adviser shared that she looked forward to making connections and collaborating with scientists all over the world, noting that “Giovanna’s passion for science and humanity manifested in her curiosity, kindness and empathy.”

This evening, from 5-7 p.m. in the Schapiro Residence Hall main lounge, there will be a space for members of the community to gather for reflection and mutual support. Staff from Religious Life and Counseling and Psychological Services will be in attendance as well. The Columbia community is here to support you, and while you may be familiar with the resources available to you — which are listed below — we share them to ensure that there are no barriers to getting help if and when you need it.

Any loss to our community can be difficult to process, especially when the cumulative impact of tragedies is impossible to articulate. Our entire community’s thoughts and condolences go out to Giovanna’s family and friends. I encourage you to take care of yourselves, and to support one another.

With sympathy and respect, 

Josef Sorett

Dean of Columbia College

Vice President for Undergraduate Education

cc: Shih-Fu Chang

Dean of Columbia Engineering

Morris A. and Alma Schapiro Professor

Resources for Students

Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) provides 24/7 phone support at 212.854.2878. Walk-in sessions for students experiencing high levels of distress are available from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday in Lerner 502.

Columbia Religious Life can be reached for spiritual counseling at religiouslife@columbia.edu or 212-854-2184. Earl Hall and Saint Paul’s Chapel are open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 8:30 p.m., for prayer and reflection.

The Office of the University Chaplain can be reached for counseling at 212-854-1474 or eb3334@columbia.edu.

Your advisers in the Berick Center for Student Advising can be reached for personal support by scheduling an appointment that is convenient for you.

Professional staff in Residential Life are always available. Should you need support, Public Safety can connect you with the Residence Hall Director on-call.

The Nightline Peer Listening service is available from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at 212-854-7777 if you need help finding resources or simply someone to talk to. 

Image via Bwog Archives