Loss of MBA student marks third student death in a week

UD announced the death of Lt. Cailin Foster in a campus-wide email Wednesday. The university is encouraging students to take care of themselves during this time of grief.

Zoë Hill | News Editor

The university announced the death of a first-year graduate student Wednesday afternoon, marking the third University of Dayton student death in a week.

Lt. Cailin Foster from Monument, Colorado, died off-campus, according to the announcement. She was studying to earn an MBA after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy. Foster achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant and was stationed at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. 

UD will honor her as one of the veterans prayed over during its annual Veterans Day Mass on Thursday at 12:30 p.m.. Remembrance candles will line a photo memorial of Foster at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, the university said. 

The university also provided resources for students struggling during this time of grief on campus. The Counseling Center, the UD Office of Military and Veteran Programs and Services and Campus Ministry are all available to help students at this time. 

“This has been a difficult week,” the announcement read. “If you are hurting, please know there are people on campus who can help you.” 

The campus community learned Saturday evening that Franco Patino and Parker Spindle had died over the weekend. Patino was one of the eight killed during a crowd surge at Astroworld, a concert hosted by rapper Travis Scott, in Houston. 

In response to the multiple student deaths, students also received a letter from the Vice President of Student Development, William M. Fischer. The letter encouraged students to reach out to the available resources and focus on self-care. 

 “The bottom line is that your health and safety are the highest priorities,” Fischer said. “While this has been a tough week, we are comforted by the knowledge that, together, we can take action to help one another during this difficult time.”

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