June 19, 2013
To: Members of the University Community
From: Robert J. Zimmer
Re: Austin Hudson-Lapore
Date: June 19, 2013
Today the University of Chicago community received the terribly sad news that third-year College student Austin Hudson-Lapore has died, and was found in Lake Michigan this morning. Austin had been missing since June 12, the night of a storm in our area. Although it is too soon for authorities to determine a cause of death, early indications are that his interest in weather led him to walk from his apartment to the lakefront to watch the storm. His family showed great strength and determination as they organized a search that enlisted people from our community and across Chicago. We are heartbroken at this tragic outcome.
I want to extend the sympathy and condolences of the University of Chicago community to Austin’s family and to his friends here at the University, who have carried the weight of this turn of events. Our University counseling services are open to anyone in our community who has been affected by this loss. I spoke with Austin’s family in the days after he was reported missing, to assure them that the University community would help them in any way we could. We will continue to stand with them.
We feel a great loss when any member of our community dies. In this case we share our grief with thousands of people across the city, in our alumni community, and around the world, who offered their help in the search for our student. I want to thank all those who reached out to Austin’s family and the University in this difficult time.
Austin was a bright, promising student who was looking forward to furthering his studies in biochemistry. He was an active student on campus who had a love of the outdoors and was very engaged in the Shorey House community. We will continue to remember him and celebrate his life. We will announce a memorial service soon to honor his life and help each other through this sad experience.
Support Resources:
Dean-on-Call: 834-Help
Student Counseling Services: 773-702-9800 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. every weekday
Therapist-on-call: 773-702-3625 after 5 p.m. during weekdays or 24 hours on weekends
Faculty and Staff Specific Resources:
Perspectives Ltd., our confidential Staff and Faculty Assistance Program, is available to provide support and counseling for any University faculty or staff member, and can be accessed by calling 800-456-6327. More information is also available at http://hrservices.uchicago.edu/benefits/healthwelfare/sfap.shtml.