Dear Campus Community,
Following our recent communication regarding the passing of Saint Mary’s alumna, Riley Vander Esch, we are writing to share details regarding funeral services, which will be held on campus in accordance with the wishes of Riley and her family.
The university community is invited to gather to honor Riley’s life, support one another, and offer our condolences to her family and loved ones.
A Candlelight Vigil with Campus Ministry will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 8:30 p.m. in Saint Thomas More Chapel.
Funeral Service Details:
Date: Friday, Oct. 9
Location: Saint Thomas More Chapel, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Visitation: Noon to 2 p.m.
Funeral Service: 2 p.m.
Parking: Details on parking from Campus Safety are forthcoming
Please note that the service will also be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person: https://smumn.zoom.us/j/
Condolences and Memorial Contributions:
Cards and written messages for Riley’s family may be dropped off at Saint Mary’s Office of Admission, where they will be collected and shared with the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to: Saint Mary’s women’s hockey in Winona, Minn., Coulee Regional Humane Society in La Crosse, Wis., Sioux Falls Lady Flyers, Brandon Valley Ice Cats, Sean Ryan Foundation in Winona, Minn., Pay It Forward Golf Classic/Bell Bank in Woodbury, Minn., or Sophie’s Squad in Blaine, Minn.
Grief and Support Resources:
We recognize that attending funeral services can bring up strong emotions, such as deep sadness, confusion, anger, or even numbness. Please know that you do not have to navigate these feelings alone. We encourage you to lean on your friends and family, as well as our campus community at Saint Mary’s during this difficult time.
As a reminder, ongoing support remains available:
For students:
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Counseling Center: Students seeking emotional support or a space to process this news can schedule individual appointments with our counselors. To schedule an appointment with our counselors, log in to Penji using your SMUMN SSO information. Navigate to the Wellness Center page, select Wellness and Counseling Support, and then Counseling Appointment. You can email wellnesscenter@smumn.edu or call 507-457-1492 with any questions. Also, students can register with Uwill for teletherapy counseling, including grief support.
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Pastoral Support: Father Kevin Stolt, IVE, university chaplain, is available to provide pastoral support for students from any and all faith traditions. kstolt@smumn.edu, 507-457-1679, 100B Saint Mary’s Hall.
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Academic Support: For students who may need academic flexibility or temporary accommodations, please direct them to Tricia Dobrient, senior director of Student Success, tdobrien@smumn.edu, (507) 457-1406, Griffin Hall 70B
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Holistic Support: For students who need holistic support due to personal distress, please direct them to Niki Peterson, dean of students, npeterso@smumn.edu, (507)457-1403, 197 Griffin Hall.
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Student Early Alert: If you notice a student exhibiting signs of significant distress, submit an Early Alert referral via the Nest so our team can reach out proactively.
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Calm Room: There is a quiet room established in Toner 54 where students can go whenever they need a quiet space just to process, calm themselves, or be with others.
Faculty and Staff Support Resources:
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Free, confidential professional counseling and support services are available to all faculty and staff. You can access EAP resources at unum, 1-800-854-1446 or unum.com/lifebalance.
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Peer Support and Check-Ins: Supporting grieving or anxious students can be emotionally taxing. Please lean on department chairs and colleagues, as needed.
Please keep Riley’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this time.
