Remembering Bella Ryan: Opportunities to Gather

Dear students and colleagues,

As our community continues to mourn the death of first-year student Bella Ryan, I wanted to reach out with an update on events planned in Bella’s honor. While many among us are only beginning to process the great pain we feel, I hope these opportunities to gather might help us as we begin our individual and collective paths to healing.

Gathering and Support in Wilder Main (Tuesday)
The Dean of Students Office will hold a drop-in space for students, faculty, and staff in Wilder Main from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 8. We will be joined by support staff and counselors, with light refreshments and resources available to write messages of support for Bella’s family.

Memorial in the Root Room (Thursday)
A memorial for Bella will take place at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 10, in the Root Room (second floor of the Carnegie Building). Students, faculty, and staff representing many of Bella’s associations on campus will speak and perform in their honor, and Bella’s family will be with us.

Available Support Resources
Those who would benefit from additional support are encouraged to reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services (Dascomb Hall), which is open for walk-in hours from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. each weekday. Additional drop-in support will be available in Wilder Hall Room 109 at the following times:

Wednesday, April 9: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Thursday, April 10: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, April 11: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

Additional support can be found anytime by calling UWill at 833-998-9455. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) or 911 any time of day.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to contact our Employee Assistance Program at 800-252-4555.

This week’s events are intended as a welcoming space for all members of our community, regardless of whether you knew Bella. I am grateful for the many people—students, staff, and faculty—who have come together to make these arrangements possible.

I know that our grieving will continue long after this week, and we will lean into our cherished memories of Bella as we begin that road to healing. Through all of this, we will continue to be, above all else, a community that cares for one another.

In peace,

Karen Goff
Vice President and Dean of Students