CHESTERTOWN, MD, September 10, 2013—The Washington College community will gather today to acknowledge and grieve the death of student Aaron L. Taylor, a junior who was found in his residence hall Monday evening, Sept. 9, after an apparent suicide. The moment of silence and reflection in Taylor’s memory will take place at noon on Martha Washington Square.

The College waited until early Tuesday morning, after confirming that Taylor’s family had been notified, to release his identity.

The College’s Counseling Center staff, along with members of the Eastern Shore Mobile Crisis Team, met late Monday with students who had gathered in Hodson Hall Commons after learning of the death. The campus Counseling Service staff will provide extended hours in the Health Center as needed tomorrow and through the week. Any student or staff who wants to talk to a professional counselor after hours should call Public Safety at 410-778-7810, no matter the time, to be connected with the counselor on call.

President Mitchell Reiss met with students in Hodson Hall Commons at around 9:30 p.m. Monday to share in their grief and to encourage them to support each other and to avail themselves of the services of the professional counselors. In an email sent to students, faculty and staff, he wrote, “Our thoughts will be with the family and other loved ones as they deal with this devastating loss. This kind of tragedy has a great impact on everyone in the community, and the hours and days to come will be difficult for many.”