Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
It is with great sadness that I send you this message today. After almost a week of searching, the Duluth Police Department and St. Louis County Rescue Squad found missing UMD student Jacob Lavoie’s body in the Minnesota Slip area of canal park Friday afternoon.
As much as we try to be prepared for something like this, it's extremely difficult. UMD is such a tight-knit community and we’re concerned for Jacob's family, his friends, and the faculty and staff that knew him. One of the qualities that defines UMD is the strong contentedness that exists among our community. As much as we may mourn individually for Jacob, our strength is in pulling together and leaning on each other to move forward.
We acknowledge the tremendous efforts of our community law enforcement agencies who worked on this search – the Duluth Police Department, UMD Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, and St. Louis County Rescue Squad. We are also so grateful to the community for their sincere support.
Last week, Vice Chancellor for Student Life Lisa Erwin sent an email with information about support resources. I have listed those resources here and encourage their use.
Support resources for students:
It is with great sadness that I send you this message today. After almost a week of searching, the Duluth Police Department and St. Louis County Rescue Squad found missing UMD student Jacob Lavoie’s body in the Minnesota Slip area of canal park Friday afternoon.
As much as we try to be prepared for something like this, it's extremely difficult. UMD is such a tight-knit community and we’re concerned for Jacob's family, his friends, and the faculty and staff that knew him. One of the qualities that defines UMD is the strong contentedness that exists among our community. As much as we may mourn individually for Jacob, our strength is in pulling together and leaning on each other to move forward.
We acknowledge the tremendous efforts of our community law enforcement agencies who worked on this search – the Duluth Police Department, UMD Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, and St. Louis County Rescue Squad. We are also so grateful to the community for their sincere support.
Last week, Vice Chancellor for Student Life Lisa Erwin sent an email with information about support resources. I have listed those resources here and encourage their use.
Support resources for students:
- Consider talking with a staff or faculty member you trust. Sometimes talking about your feelings with someone who cares can help. A trusted faculty or staff member can also help you connect to others that may be of assistance.
- Contact Counseling Services. Veronica Gaidelis-Langer, our Case Manager in Counseling Services, is a great resource. (x7913)
- Consider attending a UMD Counseling "Let's Talk" session. More about "Let's Talk" may be found here. The times and locations:
Mondays, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Kirby Student Center 361
Tuesdays, 5 to 7 p.m, Lake Superior Hall 175
Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Sports and Health Center 193
Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m., Kirby Student Center 361
Tuesdays, 5 to 7 p.m, Lake Superior Hall 175
Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Sports and Health Center 193
Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m., Kirby Student Center 361
- Call the Office of Student Life for assistance. (x8502)
Faculty and staff:
Your representative in Human Resource can assist you with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This program provides confidential professional consultation and referral services. EAP services at UMD are provided by The Sand Creek Group, Ltd. More information about EAP may be found here.
Most importantly, I’d like to send my deepest condolences to Jacob’s family, friends, and classmates. There is no easy path through something like this, and my hope is that we can support each other to find strength and peace.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
Your representative in Human Resource can assist you with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This program provides confidential professional consultation and referral services. EAP services at UMD are provided by The Sand Creek Group, Ltd. More information about EAP may be found here.
Most importantly, I’d like to send my deepest condolences to Jacob’s family, friends, and classmates. There is no easy path through something like this, and my hope is that we can support each other to find strength and peace.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
