University of Connecticut business student and Wilton, Connecticut resident, Robert Keers, passed away this Monday. (File Photo/The Daily Campus)
University of Connecticut business student and Wilton, Connecticut resident, Robert Keers, died this Monday. This marks the fifth student death at the University of Connecticut this semester.
State police said Keers was transported to, and later died at, Windham Hospital after a medical call from a home in Willington on Monday morning.
An investigation into the cause of death is underway. There is no official word on the cause of death at this point.
UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said the university was notified of Keers death later that day.
“In the short time since we learned of his death, it has become abundantly clear that Robbie had a wide circle of friends at UConn who are profoundly affected by his passing,” Reitz wrote in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends, both in the UConn community and his hometown of Wilton.”
A “somber mood” hangs over UConn, said seventh semester human development and family studies major Jefferson Tolson.
“It is so odd to see death like this around a college campus,” Tolson said. “Five [student] deaths is a lot for an entire semester, let alone two months.”
Alana Ferrante, pre-kinesiology major, and Ryan Meegan, pre-teaching major, died in a car accident in Columbia on Sept. 18.
Brandon L. Gothberg, biological sciences major, died in a crash on Route 2 in East Hartford on Aug. 7.
Marvie Cagle, a student at UConn Avery Point, died of cancer on Aug. 9.
Reitz addressed the number of deaths in a statement to the University.
“Robbie is the fifth UConn undergraduate to pass away unexpectedly since early August,” Reitz wrote. “We grieve for each of these valued students, and thank others in Connecticut to extending their support to our campus community and those touched by these painful losses.”
UConn Counseling and Mental Health Services (CMHS) will offer an open group to any student impacted by Keers’ death, which will meet Thursday Oct. 1 at 3:30 p.m. in Arjona 437.
Jon Hull is a staff writer for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email atjonathan.hull@uconn.edu.