Fordham University Rose Hill, Joseph M. McShane, S.J. has issued a heartfelt statement regarding today's tragic death of one of their students.
Dear Members of the Fordham Family,
It is with great sadness that I report that Sydney Monfries, a senior at Fordham College at Rose Hill, died today after sustaining a fall inside the Keating Clock tower in the early hours of the morning. Our hearts go out to Sydney’s parents, and her family and friends—theirs is an unimaginable loss, and we share their grief.
There are no words sufficient to describe the loss of someone so young and full of promise—and mere weeks from graduation. Fordham will confer a bachelor’s degree upon Sydney posthumously, which we will present to her parents at the appropriate time.
We are holding a Mass for Sydney tonight at 7 p.m. in the University Church—to which all members of the University community were invited. We will, of course, share information on funeral arrangements as soon as we have them.
I know you join me in keeping Sydney, and her family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers. I also urge you to be kind to one another, and to yourselves, in the days that follow. I have listed some resources for students below—please don’t hesitate to use them: no matter how you reach out, I promise you someone will be there to listen.
Finally, please know that you are always in my most heartfelt prayers every day.