Late this morning I sent the following message to the campus community:
Dear Friends,
It is with great sorrow that I inform you that Nora Miller, a Wesleyan student from the class of 2012, died late Monday afternoon. Nora was a film major of great talent and energy, an athlete of distinction, an engaged contributor to our community, a devoted friend and a loving daughter and sister. Her parents, Jeff and Patricia Miller, are former Wesleyan employees close to many here. We have offered to help the Millers in any way we can.
Our hearts go out to Nora’s family and friends in this terribly painful moment. When someone takes her own life, the entire community is shaken. I have no doubt we will be more mindful than ever of those who are suffering around us, and, I trust, we will console one another and take care of one another. Student Affairs staff have been providing support to some of Nora’s friends. I encourage anyone who is seeking help to speak to the Office of Behavioral Health for Students (always available via the 24 hour on-call system 860-685-2910) or to one of our class deans.
We will soon begin working with Nora’s friends and teachers on an appropriate service on campus.
We grieve for Nora, and we grieve with her parents, sisters, friends. May we find some consolation in making our memories of her gifts and her contributions a blessing for the future.
Sept. 17, 2010 Update: Monetary donations to Middletown’s Amazing Grace Food Pantry can be made in Nora’s memory by visiting the following site.
[tags]Nora Miller, Office of Behavioral Health, Amazing Grace Food Pantry[/tags]
In light of this tragic event, Wesleyan Human Resources would like to remind you of a very important Wesleyan benefit that is available to all faculty and staff and all members of their households. Our Employee Assistance Program provider, The Wellness Corporation, provides the opportunity for you to see or speak with an EAP counselor free of charge. For more details, please go to the Benefits section of our HR website.
We were deeply saddened to hear of the community’s loss. Our hearts and prayers extend to Nora’s parents, family and friends — and all of the students and staff of Wesleyan.
Andy and Bryn Perkins
We are very sorry for the loss of Nora. We hope her parents and sisters find much comfort in each other, and the Wesleyan community. We pray for Nora and her family.
The Onah Family
Although among the newest members of the Wesleyan community (P ’14), we also share the sadness and grief of the Miller family and the entire university. The loss of someone so young with unlimited potential is a great tragedy. All of us feel pain and loss as a consequence of this devastating event. We must dedicate ourselves to work harder to understand how and why these things happen. It is not enough to sit silently in sadness; Nora’s death must engage us to do more toward preventing future happenings in our families, communities, and the world. Let’s turn our grief into a genuine activism.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Nora’s family friends and the entire Wesleyan community. I am so so sorry for the loss of Nora and pray for her and her family in the difficult days ahead…
The Brackman family shares its sorrow and grief with the Miller family, the Wesleyan Community and everyone affected by this terrible and tragic loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Millers, their family, friends, friends of Nora’s and relatives.
In the future, maybe Wesleyan should set up a memorial fund to provide additional support for behavioral services at Wes– funds that might sponsor a support group for students with anxiety and depression, or some sort of speaker series. Norah’s death reminds us just how lonely college can be, if you don’t know how to ask for help. Maybe her legacy can be making it a little easier for students to get the help they need, and we can transform this terrible loss into something that can potentially save the lives of her fellow Wes students.