Student Dies After Fall
Adam Robert Engel was excellent student, excellent friend
A Boston University honors student died early Saturday morning after a fall in the lobby of a hotel just a few blocks from campus. Adam Robert Engel (SMG’12), a straight A student majoring in business administration, apparently fell in the lobby of the Doubletree Guest Suites in Boston shortly after midnight. Engel, who worked in the School of Management’s Feld Career Center, was a native of Old Bethpage, N.Y., and lived at 17 Buswell St. He would have turned 20 on Sunday.
Boston Police Department spokeswoman Jill Flynn says police were called to the scene at 1:15 Saturday morning. Police found Engel lying on the floor of the lobby with no pulse and not breathing, Flynn says. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Boston Police, who are investigating the unattended death, say there is no suspicion of foul play.
“Our community has suffered a great loss,” says Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore. “I encourage everyone to reach out and offer sympathy to each other in this moment of tragedy.”
Sandra Procopio, SMG assistant dean, says Engel was an outstanding student and a wonderful person.
“Adam was very active in the SMG community,” Procopio says. “But what I really remember about him is that he always had a smile on his face.”
Ted Mejia (CAS’12), who roomed with Engel, says his friend will be greatly missed. “All of us, all of his friends, are really shaken by how sudden this was,” says Mejia. “He was a great person. He was one of the best people I ever met.”
“He was a very good person,” says friend Cody Hayden (CAS’11), “a great person. This is just horrible.”
“He always knew how to make someone feel loved,” says Kate Polacikova (SMG’12), who was close to Engel. “He was always there for anyone who needed him. He was a great and loyal friend and will be forever missed.”
Counseling is available with Marsh Chapel chaplains and at Student Health Services. Chaplains can be reached at 617-353-3560. SHS counselors can be reached at 617-353-3575. A 24-hour counseling hotline is available at 617-353-3569. In addition, there will be an open counseling session for faculty and students from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in SMG Room 206.
Information about any memorial services will be published on BU Today as that information becomes available.
Art Jahnke can be reached at jahnke@bu.edu.
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