Spring Break
The Daily OrangeCampus remembers 'charismatic' student
By Julia Terruso
Posted: 11/12/08, 12:54 AM EST Section: News
The Syracuse University flag flew at half-mast outside Hendricks Chapel the morning of Nov. 5, when a group of students gathered to mourn the death of a friend.
Gleidy Espinal, a junior accounting and finance major in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, died last week while studying abroad in Madrid. Chancellor Nancy Cantor sent an e-mail to the student body stating Espinal's cause of death as apparent suicide. Madrid authorities are still confirming that, university spokesman Kevin Morrow said.
As those close to Espinal continue to cope with the tragedy, some reflected on her effect on them and her contribution to the university. Friends described Espinal as the "best kind of friend you could have." A friend who readily gave compliments and car rides, jokes and words of wisdom. A lover of dance, who fine-tuned her steps. A conscientious student who worked hard for her grades.
Espinal is the fourth SU student to die in the past two months, the second death abroad and the second suicide.
Thomas Wolfe, dean of student affairs, said there is no new information surrounding Espinal's death and that the university will continue to provide counseling and support services to anyone in need. A support team flew to Madrid Nov. 5, and a memorial service for Espinal was held in Madrid Monday. The date for a service in Syracuse has yet to be announced.
"If you talk to anyone about her, the first thing you'll hear is that she was just so full of life. No matter what was going on, she seemed so content with being here," said Kenny Hernandez, junior finance major. "She seemed to brush off everything that was going wrong."
Hernandez met Espinal in the summer of 2006,
when she arrived at SU. The two became friends through mutual classes in Whitman and through their involvement in the Latino dance troupe, Raices.
"Gleidy always surprised everyone," Hernandez said. "She's a lot more acrobatic than you can tell at first, but she would do cartwheels and splits. She was willing to do whatever it took to improve the dances."
Gleidy Espinal, a junior accounting and finance major in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, died last week while studying abroad in Madrid. Chancellor Nancy Cantor sent an e-mail to the student body stating Espinal's cause of death as apparent suicide. Madrid authorities are still confirming that, university spokesman Kevin Morrow said.
As those close to Espinal continue to cope with the tragedy, some reflected on her effect on them and her contribution to the university. Friends described Espinal as the "best kind of friend you could have." A friend who readily gave compliments and car rides, jokes and words of wisdom. A lover of dance, who fine-tuned her steps. A conscientious student who worked hard for her grades.
Espinal is the fourth SU student to die in the past two months, the second death abroad and the second suicide.
Thomas Wolfe, dean of student affairs, said there is no new information surrounding Espinal's death and that the university will continue to provide counseling and support services to anyone in need. A support team flew to Madrid Nov. 5, and a memorial service for Espinal was held in Madrid Monday. The date for a service in Syracuse has yet to be announced.
"If you talk to anyone about her, the first thing you'll hear is that she was just so full of life. No matter what was going on, she seemed so content with being here," said Kenny Hernandez, junior finance major. "She seemed to brush off everything that was going wrong."
Hernandez met Espinal in the summer of 2006,
when she arrived at SU. The two became friends through mutual classes in Whitman and through their involvement in the Latino dance troupe, Raices.
"Gleidy always surprised everyone," Hernandez said. "She's a lot more acrobatic than you can tell at first, but she would do cartwheels and splits. She was willing to do whatever it took to improve the dances."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Denise Trionfero
posted 11/12/08 @ 11:41 AM EST
Gleidy was also an HEOP student and I was her counselor. She was all of thie things mentioned and more. She was an outstanding giver, a serious student, a beautiful young woman and had a special concern for the welfare of her family and friends. (Continued…)
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