Notre Dame senior dies day before graduation

University of Notre Dame senior William Meckling died early Saturday morning after falling from the roof of the Joyce Center.

The accident occurred around 4 a.m.

An officer was approached by two students who asked for his assistance. Emergency medical personnel responded shortly after with CPR and other efforts to try and resuscitate him.

Meckling was found deceased on the ground near Gate 7 of the Joyce Center.

An autopsy will be conducted.

According to authorities, it appears the student was with a group of students who gained access to the roof of the building.

No other students in the group were injured.

Meckling was a mechanical engineering major from Centennial, Colorado and a member of the Notre Dame fencing team.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends after this terrible tragedy. It is a profound sadness for all of us, on this graduation weekend, to lose someone so young and brimming with promise,” Notre Dame University President Rev. John I. Jenkins said.

Senior Megan O'Brien, who was friends with Meckling, said, “I think I speak for everyone when I say he's in our thoughts and prayers, and our condolences go out to his family.”

Notre Dame tennis player and fellow athlete, Dougie Barnard said, "I feel like it hits home a little bit because every sports team is part of the student community and student athlete family. Losing someone in our family at such a young age, it's just such an inopportune time and a tragedy that shouldn't have happened. What it means to be part of the Notre Dame family, and knowing that we're all here together."

The University Counseling Center and Campus Ministry are available to offer their support to members of the Notre Dame community.