20071017 Rider University Statement on the Death of Student from Columbia Maryland

Rider University Statement on the Death of Student from Columbia Maryland

October 17^th, 2007

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Warfield family and their friends and family in Columbia Maryland.

(A member of my family attends Westminster Choir College and we received this e-mail earlier…)

The Westminster Choir College has gone above and beyond the call of duty to address the dangers posed by the drinking behaviors engaged by too-many college students today. This is terrible shame for a student to have the talent to attend Westminster Choir College only to have a promising career cut short.

Dear Family Members,

We are deeply saddened to inform you of the death of one of our students, Justin R. Warfield, an 18-year old Westminster Choir College freshman from Columbia, Maryland. We know that we speak for the entire University when we extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family.

At approximately 5 a.m. this morning a 911 call was placed from an apartment on the 200 block of Witherspoon Street in Princeton. An ambulance arrived and police and the first aid squad administered CPR. At about 6 a.m., Justin was pronounced dead at University Medical Center
at Princeton.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause of death. We understand from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office that they believe alcohol and drugs may have played a role, and we will await the findings from the medical examiner.

This fall, Rider implemented a number of steps to discourage alcohol and drug abuse on our campuses. We had hoped we would never again have to experience another tragedy involving one of our students. We remain vigilant and determined to educate our students about the dangers of excessive drinking and will continue to do so.

Drinking on college campuses is a national crisis and we will continue to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that we provide an even safer learning environment for all of our students.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Justin's family. Counseling and campus ministry staff continue to be available for all students, faculty and staff on both campuses.

Mordechai Rozanski, President, Rider University

Robert Annis, Dean, Westminster Choir College

2083 Lawrenceville Rd.

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648