President Skorton’s message of condolence

Nov. 15, 2010

Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the death of our student and colleague Ryan Crowder, a CALS graduate student in the Field of Natural Resources who was working on a sustainable fisheries initiative in Nicaragua since May of this year. Late Saturday night, Ryan was killed in Managua.

Ryan cared deeply about international development, and particularly for the lobstermen of the Moskito Coast whose efforts to organize into cooperatives formed the basis of his thesis research.

On behalf of the entire Cornell community, I wish to express my profound condolences to the Crowder and Niederhofer families, and to his many friends in Ithaca and across the world who will always carry his memory in their hearts.

Please join me in keeping Ryan and his family foremost in your thoughts as we mourn his loss. There will be a community support meeting tomorrow evening, Tuesday, November 16, at 5 p.m. in 304 Fernow Hall, and plans to commemorate Ryan’s life will be made in consultation with his family.

Best regards,

David Skorton
President