Notre Dame Senior Falls to Death Before Graduation

William Meckling was with friends on roof of sports arena
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted May 16, 2015 3:56 PM CDT
Notre Dame Senior Falls to Death Before Graduation
Notre Dame's graduation is tomorrow.   (Shutterstock)

One day before he was to graduate from Notre Dame, senior William Meckling fell to his death from the roof of a campus building, reports the Chicago Tribune. The school says in a news release that Meckling and friends climbed atop the Joyce Center sports arena, but he apparently lost his footing on the rain-slicked roof and fell. Friends summoned a campus officer about 3:45am this morning, but the 21-year-old could not be revived. The Colorado native was a mechanical engineering major and a member of the fencing team. Hours after his death, classmates spelled out "Billy" in candles on campus. Graduation ceremonies are tomorrow.

"It is a profound sadness ... to lose someone so young and brimming with promise," says Notre Dame President the Rev. John Jenkins. (More Notre Dame stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X