St. Lawrence University: Emily Mounce '07





	St. Lawrence University mourns the death of Emily R. Mounce, Class of 2007, whose hometown was Palmer, Alaska. Emily died April 6, 2004. On June 11, the Canton Village Police released the autopsy report. Emily's death has been determined to be a suicide as a result of lethal intoxication of ethanol and bupropion (aka Wellbutrin). The website offers all statements made by the University and the Canton Village Police, with the most recent update appearing immediately below. The entire St. Lawrence community is saddened by this loss. We extend heartfelt condolences to Emily's family and many friends. The bulletin distributed to those attending the memorial service for Emily on April 15 is reproduced here: Thoughts on Grieving Tears may be dried up, but the heart – never. Marguerite De Valois I will not equate the length of my grieving period with the degree of my love. One has nothing to do with the other. I will cry until I no longer need to cry, will grieve until I no longer need to grieve. And through it all, my love will continue unchanged and undiminished. Carol Staudacher Encountering the reality of death brings me to understand that love is life. Love nourishes the soul and brings meaning to my life. As I realize this person I have loved cannot come back, I am transformed by my grief. Just as love transforms us, so too does grief. Perhaps the question is: How will I be transformed? Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D. A Service in Honor & in Celebration of the Life of Emily Rose Mounce '07 Thursday, April 15, 2004 10:00p.m. - Gunnison Chapel Welcome - Kathleen Buckley, University Chaplain Shaun Whitehead, Associate University Chaplain Music - Agnus Dei, from Requiem, Gabriel Fauré The Laurentian Singers Reflection - Meredith Bircher '06 Reading & Reflection - Emily’s Family Reflection - Kate Riley '06 Music - "This Love," Maroon 5 The Singing Sinners Reflection - Ashley Gilbert '06, Andrew Hogan '06, Joy Aulicino '06, Claire Staby '06, Andrew Baskerville '06 Reflection - Erin McCarthy, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, in conjunction with Danielle Egan, Assistant Professor of Sociology Reflection - Stefan Patyjewicz '06 Music - "Amazing Grace," John Newton Corey Esau '05 Reflection - Dance Team Reflection - "To Emily," Molly Turner '05 Slideshow Music - In Remembrance, from Requiem, Eleanor Daley The Laurentian Singers Closing Words - Daniel Hernandez, Associate Director of Counseling Services Go in Peace Immediately following the service there will be a reception in Dean Eaton Formal Lounge Sponsored by Student Life. All are welcome. Memorial service for Emily Mounce '07 Emily Mounce brightened the lives of many at St. Lawrence, with special connections to fellow students on the Dance Team and in her First-Year Program. Her friends and family join together to invite everyone to remember and celebrate Emily's life Thursday, April 15, at 10 p.m. in Gunnison Memorial Chapel A Memory Board is set up in the front of the Chapel feel free to come and see pictures, light a candle, write something in a book that will be given to her family, bring pictures to put up on the boards, or bring something that reminded you of Emily 9:45 p.m. April 12, 2004 To: The St. Lawrence Community From: President Daniel F. Sullivan With a very heavy heart, I write to mourn the loss of Emily R. Mounce’07. A few minutes ago, the Canton Police provided the following statement to us: Unattended Death Investigation at St. Lawrence University The deceased person who is the focus of the unattended death investigation at St. Lawrence University has been identified as Emily R. Mounce, age 19. Emily Mounce resided at Dean Eaton Hall, Room 2037, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY with a home address of Palmer, Alaska. As stated in previous press releases, foul play has been ruled out and the exact cause of death is pending toxicology reports that are expected in the next 2-3 weeks. The Canton Police Department extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Emily. For additional information contact Chief Alan Mulkin at 386-4561. Emily’s family will know that the entire St. Lawrence family shares this loss, and that we will extend every support possible as they grieve. We will offer our assistance, too, if they wish to plan a memorial service for Emily on campus or in other ways they hope we can remember her. To Emily’s friends, we offer deepest sympathies; we hope your memories of Emily will sustain you in the days ahead. I’d like to remind you that Dean-Eaton Formal Lounge will remain open through Wednesday of this week, as a place for community members to gather in support of each other. The lounge will be open 24 hours a day, with Student Life staff members on hand from 7:00 - 10:00 PM to offer counseling and support. The lounge may remain open additional days depending on the need for continuing support. Counseling Services staff is available to meet with students as needed - just call 5391 to schedule an appointment with a counselor. If a counselor is needed after hours, one is always on call and can be reached by calling Security (5555) and asking to speak to the Counselor on Call. Faculty and staff members should also feel free to call the Counseling Services office to consult about any student concerns they might have. 9:30 a.m. April 12, 2004 The Dean-Eaton Formal Lounge will remain open through Wednesday of this week, as a place for community members to gather in support of each other in this time of tragedy. The lounge will be open 24 hours a day, with Student Life staff members on hand from 7:00 - 10:00 PM to offer counseling and support. Refreshments will also be available. The lounge may remain open additional days depending on the need for continuing support. Counseling Services staff are available to meet with students as needed - just call 5391 to schedule an appointment with a counselor. If a counselor is needed after hours, one is always on call and can be reached by calling Security (5555) and asking to speak to the Counselor on Call. Faculty and staff members should also feel free to call the Counseling Services office to consult about any student concerns they might have. 9:30 p.m. April 11, 2004 To: The St. Lawrence Community From: President Daniel F. Sullivan Subject: Update on Investigation Chief Alan Mulkin of the Canton Village Police issued the following statement this evening immediately following the conclusion of the autopsy on the deceased person found in Dean-Eaton Hall on Saturday night, April 10. Unattended Death Investigation at St. Lawrence University Dr. Livingston performed an autopsy on Sunday, April 11, 2004 at 5:00PM at Canton-Potsdam Hospital. Preliminary autopsy reports do not indicate foul play. The final results of the autopsy are inconclusive pending toxicology reports. The deceased has still not been positively identified at this time. Therefore, the name is not being released until positive identification is made. For additional information contact Chief Alan Mulkin at 386-4561 Because the Village Police are the investigators on this case that involved an unattended death, we must carefully follow their lead with respect to the process of the investigation, the language that is used and the information that is shared, including the identification of the deceased. We will maintain a link from our main website (www.stlawu.edu) and will send any updates on this investigation as we have new information from the Village Police. We can say that we never had reason to believe that this very sad event was a cause of danger to any member of our campus community. We are grateful to have confirmed that foul play has indeed been ruled out. Still, a death in our community is a reason to feel grief, anxiety and confusion. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this and we will do everything we can to support you. The Community Support Center remains open at least until 10 p.m. this evening, and later if needed, and will re-open at 9 a.m. through 10 p.m. on Monday. All members of the Student Life team are available to help in whatever ways are needed. The following statement was released by the Canton Police Department on Sunday, April 11 and released on campus at 9:26 a.m. Unattended Death Investigation at St. Lawrence University At approximately 8:43PM, Saturday, April 10, 2004 the Canton Police Department responded to a report of an unattended death at St. Lawrence University’s Dean-Eaton Residence Hall. The Canton Police Department, New York State Police, and St. Lawrence University Safety and Security are investigating the unattended death, which occurred in the Dean-Eaton Residence Hall, located on the St. Lawrence University Campus. The deceased person is believed to have been dead for several days and has not been positively identified at this time. The deceased person is believed to be the resident of the single occupancy room. No further information is being released at this time pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. An autopsy will be conducted on Sunday, April 11, 2004 at 5:00PM to determine the cause death. For additional information contact Chief Alan Mulkin at 386-4561. Campus Statement on Unattended Death Under Investigation April 10, 2004, 11:56 p.m. At 8:43 p.m. Saturday, April 10, Security and Safety received a call from on campus, requesting medical attention. An officer and an emergency medical technician responded immediately, to Room 2037 in Dean-Eaton. Personnel immediately determined that there was a deceased person in the room, and contacted Canton Police, who arrived at the scene within minutes. At this point, there has been no identification of the individual, though it appears that the person may have been there for a period of several days. The room's resident is Emily R. Mounce '07, but we do not know that it was she who was found. Authorities are conducting an investigation, and when additional information has been confirmed, it will be shared with the campus community. Students living in Dean-Eaton have been notified of the events and the facts as they are now known, and counseling staff is available for assistance. Updated: April 14, 2004 Created & Maintained by University Communications Questions & Comments to: Macreena Doyle, Coordinator of News Services, University Communications, 315-229-5587