Penn junior Mia Bezar dies at 20

College junior Mia Bezar died on Sunday, Feb. 13 at the age of 20.

Vice Provost for University Life Mamta Motwani Accapadi informed students of Bezar's death in a Feb. 14 email sent on behalf of Interim President Wendell E. Pritchett and Interim Provost Beth A. Winkelstein.

Bezar was a Philadelphia native and she attended the William Penn Charter and Baldwin Schools before coming to Penn.

Accapadi wrote that "Mia’s family wishes for her to be remembered for her profound kindness and compassion."

At Penn, Bezar studied political science in the College of Arts and Sciences with minors in urban studies and French and Francophone studies. 

She was passionate about climate change and environmental policy, and she worked as a partnerships & public relations officer at the climate think tank Earth Refuge. While working at Earth Refuge, she started the Philadelphia Spotlight Series.

Bezar was involved in Model United Nations for almost eight years, and she served as Under-Secretary-General at Penn’s Model UN Economic and Social Council.

The University will host a virtual support session for Bezar’s peers and the Penn community at 3 p.m. today. The Let’s Talk program at Counseling and Psychological Services will also have staff available for confidential drop-in conversations on Feb. 14 at Education Commons 228 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Feb. 15 at Penn First Plus Room GF01F from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

CAMPUS RESOURCES

The HELP Line: 215-898-HELP

Counseling and Psychological Services: 215-898-7021 (active 24/7)

Student Health Service: 215-746-3535

Office of the Vice Provost for University Life: 215-898-6081

University Chaplain’s Office: 215-898-8456

Reach-A-Peer Helpline:

215-573-2727 (every day from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.)

215-515-7332 (texting service available 24/7)