In an all-university email sent the morning of Sunday, April 17, Winona State University Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life Denise McDowell announced a student was found dead in her Sheehan Hall dorm room on April 16.

The student was later identified as Mary Sullivan, an RA in the Sheehan Hall dorm.

The cause of death is still unkown at this time.

Sullivan was from Milwaukee, Wis. and studied health, exercise and rehabilitative sciences with an emphasis in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

McDowell expressed her concern for the Winona State community and Sullivan’s friends and family in her email.

“Each member of our community of learners plays a vital role, and I know that Mary will be missed by many,” McDowell said. “I ask all members of the Winona State community to keep Mary and her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. Please reach out to those who may be suffering, and come together to remember Mary’s life and the good times you shared.”

Counseling and wellness services are available for any students struggling with the loss.

Walk-ins or appointments are also available in the Integrated Wellness Complex, room 222.

The services can be reached by calling 507-457-5330.

Those with any questions or concerns can call the office of the dean of students at 507-457-5300.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

The Winonan will be honoring Sullivan with a profile about her life and commitment to Winona State and its students in our April 27 edition.

Those who wish to help us tell Sullivan’s story and honor her life can contact The Winonan’s editor-in-chief Allison Mueller at [email protected].

-The Winonan staff