Two recent U. grads die over weekend

and Daniel Gingiss Two graduates of the Class of 1994 died this weekend in separate incidents. Mary McGuire, former chairperson of the Reach-A-Peer Helpline and former Delta Delta Delta sister, was killed late Friday night in San Antonio, Tex., when her car was struck by a drunk driver. And just yesterday, Andrew Sawyer, who had come to the University to mourn her death, was found unconscious on the bathroom floor in Tri-Delt's new Locust Walk house. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania at 8 a.m. yesterday. McGuire and Sawyer were "very close" and "the best of friends," according to College senior and current RAPline chairperson Tama Weinberg. McGuire, who hailed from Princeton, N.J., was volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in San Antonio. While others were injured in the automobile accident, she was the only person killed. Sawyer, who lived in Easton, Conn., was a member of the men's swim team and a Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity brother. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to resuscitate him at the Tri-Delt house, but as of last night the cause of his death was still unknown. Lab reports and test results from HUP are expected this morning, according to Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum. The University responded yesterday by setting up support groups at the DEKE house and both of the Tri-Delt houses. The groups included members of the University Counseling Service, Student Mental Heath and the VPUL offices. "We're doing the best we can to comfort the Tri-Delt sisters, the DEKE brothers and the University community," McCoullum said. "[The] community has suffered a double loss in a very short period." Tricia Phaup, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, said last night that the atmosphere in the houses yesterday was one of disbelief. "People are really in a lot of shock just trying to absorb it all," she said. "They were appreciative of us being there [but] they were pretty quiet." Phaup said the students were advised of resources for further support and counseled on ways to recover from the tragedy. She added that academic support is also available for those students who feel their grieving might interfere with classes. While many friends of McGuire and Sawyer declined to comment on the deaths, some offered thoughts on their lives. McGuire was described as a caring person who was always helping others. "Every time you saw her she was smiling -- she lit up a room when she came into it," said Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassel. "She was an involved, engaging, warm, kind, sweet individual who?was willing to make personal sacrifices for other people." Swimming coach Kathy Lawlor-Gilbert said Sawyer was an enthusiastic participant on the team, even though he did not compete in his senior year. "He really did well here," she said. "He improved tremendously and he was a big asset to the team. "He was so good-natured," she added. "I was very, very fond of him." Before beginning swimming practice yesterday, Lawlor-Gilbert asked for a moment of silence in memory of Sawyer. Weinberg described the two students as being very similar. "[Mary] was the most caring person I have ever met on this campus," she said. "Andrew was pretty much a duplicate of Mary -- the two were pretty incredible people." Funeral services for McGuire have been delayed because her brother is out of the country, Phaup said. She added that the University is trying to organize a bus to take students to the funeral in Princeton. No information is currently available on Sawyer's funeral. Memorial services will be held on campus for both McGuire and Sawyer, Phaup said, but only after "people have had time to absorb what's happened." DEKE President Scott Kegler and Tri-Delt President Melissa London declined to comment on the deaths.