SUNY ESF student dies from cardiac arrest Thursday

Jessica Pfeifer, a forest and natural resources management senior at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, died early this morning, according to an email from Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor. "Losing a member of our campus family is so painful," the email read. "As surely as it affects us all, it can affect each of us differently."

Pfeifer died from cardiac arrest, according to the Syracuse Post Standard, but few other details about her death were available. Reports say she was brought to Crouse Hospital by ambulance between 3 and 4 a.m. Thursday.

Pfeifer was originally from Kennett Square, Penn., and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity. She was helping plan May's commencement ceremony, said ESF President Neil Murphy to the Post-Standard Thursday.

The ESF Police Department declined to comment on any investigation, but did say that Pfeifer lived in an off-campus apartment.

A gathering is being held today at 3:30 p.m. at ESF's Alumni (Nifkin) Lounge. Counseling is also being made available to students via the Counseling Center (443-4715), Hendricks Chapel (443-2901) and the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (443-1087).

More information will be provided as it becomes available.