The father of Daniel Thielke, the junior computer science major who died on Saturday, Sept. 19, confirmed that Thielke died by suicide, according to a campus-wide email from President R. Barbara Gitenstein sent out on Tuesday afternoon.
Thielke’s father requested that the invitation to attend his son’s memorial services be extended to anyone from the College, according Gitentstein.
The services will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hillsborough Funeral Home, 796 U.S. Highway 206, Hillsborough, N.J. 08844.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Daniel’s name may be made to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in North Branch, N.J., according to the email.
Thielke is the College’s fourth student to die by suicide in the past four years. His death comes just over two months after former assistant provost Pat Donohue died by suicide in mid-July.
“This has been a really tough time for our campus community,” Angela Chong, dean of students told The Signal. “We have lost a number of people, and I think it’s a time for us to really show each other compassion and be alert for people who are struggling with this news and grieving as a community, and to know that there is help out there for everyone.”
The College will also be holding two open meetings in the Spiritual Center to provide support and begin the healing process, according to the email.
The meetings will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and on Friday, Sept. 25 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The email also included an updated list of resources for anyone seeking support:
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Eickhoff Hall 107
609-771-2247
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
TCNJ Clinic
Forcina Hall 124
609-771-2700
Hours: Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. –4:30 p.m.
Tuesday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
TCNJ Campus Police
Contact Campus Police by dialing 911 from any campus phone or 609-771-2345 from a cell phone.
New Jersey Hopeline:
1-855-654-6735 FREE
Crisis Text Line:
Text “Start” to 741741
RESOURCES FOR TCNJ EMPLOYEES:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Forcina Hall 124
609-771-2139
After hours: 609-571-0677
