Kenyon mourns the death of a first-year student

The campus community suffered a traumatic blow this spring when a first-year student died under circumstances that were still being investigated when this issue of the Bulletin went to press. Authorities believe that alcohol played a role in the death of Colin James Boyarski, a nineteen-year-old student from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, whose body was found on Sunday morning, April 3, in a field near Duff Street in Gambier.

An autopsy conducted by the Franklin County coroner's office in Columbus indicated that foul play was not involved in Colin's death. According to Knox County Sheriff David Barber, Colin had attended an off-campus party Saturday night and was seen drinking. At press time, the sheriff was still waiting for the results of toxicology tests. One question he is pursuing is whether Colin may have passed out under the influence of alcohol and died of hypothermia.

In the days following the tragedy, College officials sought to comfort both Colin's family and the campus community. Counselors were available to help students cope, and many students, along with members of the faculty and staff, attended an April 17 memorial service in Pittsburgh. A campus service was held on April 21.

"We will be steadfast in our commitment to understand and address what led to Colin's death," wrote President S. Georgia Nugent in a letter to all Kenyon parents and alumni.

An obituary for Colin Boyarski may be found here.

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