Message regarding a student's death
Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler sent the following message to the campus community on Feb. 12, 2012 - Ed.
Dear William & Mary Community,
I write this evening with very sad news about a member of our community. Late this afternoon, I learned about the death of one of our students, Troy Pelish. Now that I have contacted the student's family, I wanted to notify the broader campus community. Troy was found by a fellow student inside his residence hall room. While the cause of death must be confirmed by a medical examiner, investigators on the scene suspect his death was a suicide.
A freshman from Vinton, Virginia, Troy was a 2011 graduate from William Byrd High School where he was an excellent student, having earned national recognition for his performance on the National German and Latin Exams. Troy also competed on his school’s championship-winning Scholastic Bowl Team. He was in his second semester at William & Mary, where he was studying chemistry.
Since learning of Troy’s death, counselors and members of the Dean of Students staff have been reaching out and offering assistance to those who were closest to him. The Counseling Center is open tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. for anyone who would find talking to a counselor helpful -- the center is located on the second floor of Blow Hall, Room 240, 221-3620. We will also have counselors available all day tomorrow. As always, counselors are on call on a 24-hour basis and can be reached after hours through the W&M Police at 221-4596. Additionally, the Residence Life staff, Dean of Students Office, campus ministers, and my office are available on a priority basis for those who need us.
This is heartbreaking news for the Pelish family and all of us who are part of the extended William & Mary family. During difficult times like this, may we continue to listen to and support one another. Please join me in extending our deepest sympathy to Troy’s family and friends.
Sincerely,
Ginger Ambler