It has been a difficult time for us all as we try to grapple with the passing of student Matthew Gabriel.
Matt was the victim of a hit-and-run accident early on the morning of Sunday, April 13, while crossing Dulaney Valley Road. He died Monday morning as a result of his injuries, at the Shock Trauma unit of the University of Maryland Medical Center. Since the accident, the driver has been located, arrested, and charged with hit-and-run and driving while intoxicated.
It is at times like these when we must draw on support from one another and come together as a community to find light within the darkness. It also is important to continue to honor and remember Matt.
Please consider attending the men’s lacrosse game tomorrow, Thursday, April 17, in honor and in memory of Matt and in support of all Goucher students, faculty, and staff who are coping with this terrible loss. The team will compete against Catholic University at 4 p.m. The decision to play this regularly scheduled game was made by the team and their coaches, and it is wholeheartedly supported and encouraged by Matt’s parents, Vicki and David Gabriel. We hope to see you there.
Additionally, if you’d like to remember and honor Matt with a life-saving gift, there will be a blood drive and bone marrow registry on campus on Friday, April 18, 12-5:30 p.m. in the Heubeck Multipurpose Room.
Blood donors can sign in at the second-floor lobby, and the marrow registry is in Heubeck Lounge. You can schedule an appointment in advance by visiting www.redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code “053678” or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Appointments are not necessary, however.
The death of a student has a deep impact on a close-knit college campus like ours. Let us come together as a community and keep Matt, and his family, in the forefront of our actions, as well as in our thoughts and prayers.