Students mourn death of Notre Dame classmate
Posted: May 17, 2015 1:40 AM EST | Updated: May 17, 2015 1:46 AM EST
Thousands gathered on Notre Dame's campus over the weekend for graduation, but students also mourned the death of senior William Meckling.
Meckling died early Saturday morning after falling from the roof of the Joyce Center. According to authorities, Meckling was with a group of students who gained access to the roof of the building.
While no other students in the group were injured, Meckling was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His death has obviously affected all of us in the senior class. Our condolences go out to his family. Billy will definitely be in our hearts and minds through the entire weekend,” said Megan O'Brien, one of Meckling's friends.
21-year-old Meckling, also referred to as Billy, was a mechanical engineering major from Centennial, Colorado and a member of the Notre Dame fencing team.
"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. I think it's a time when everyone really has to lean on the support structure of Notre Dame," says Dougie Barnard, a tennis player for Notre Dame.
In addition to celebrating their educations, the students say they are honored to celebrate the life of Billy Meckling.
The University Counseling Center and Campus Ministry are available to offer their support to members of the Notre Dame community.
Meckling died early Saturday morning after falling from the roof of the Joyce Center. According to authorities, Meckling was with a group of students who gained access to the roof of the building.
While no other students in the group were injured, Meckling was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His death has obviously affected all of us in the senior class. Our condolences go out to his family. Billy will definitely be in our hearts and minds through the entire weekend,” said Megan O'Brien, one of Meckling's friends.
21-year-old Meckling, also referred to as Billy, was a mechanical engineering major from Centennial, Colorado and a member of the Notre Dame fencing team.
"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. I think it's a time when everyone really has to lean on the support structure of Notre Dame," says Dougie Barnard, a tennis player for Notre Dame.
In addition to celebrating their educations, the students say they are honored to celebrate the life of Billy Meckling.
The University Counseling Center and Campus Ministry are available to offer their support to members of the Notre Dame community.
