Rising Nursing junior Claire Lee died on Aug. 20 in Syracuse, N.Y.
Vice Provost for University Life Karu Kozuma and School of Nursing Dean Antonia Villarruel notified the undergraduate community of Lee’s death in an email on Aug. 22.
“While our community arrives on campus and begins a new academic year together, we are deeply mindful of this profound loss and hold Claire’s family, friends, peers, and patients in our hearts,” the email read. “This moment is a reminder to take time to reach out to those around us, offer kindness, and find strength in the connections that sustain us.”
Lee graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School in New York in 2023. She was a Benjamin Franklin Scholar at Penn and served as a student clinical assistant at Upstate Medical University this summer.
Lee was “born with a deep desire to do good” and devoted her life to uplifting others, according to her sister, Chloe Lee, who added that “she wanted to become a nurse for this very reason.”
A memorial post on social media stated that Lee “was admired not only for her academic excellence but also for her vibrant spirit and compassion, leaving classmates, professors, and friends grappling with profound grief.”
In high school, Lee co-founded “Club H.O.P.E.” to support body image and combat diet culture. It featured discussion groups, bonding work, crafts, and speaking events with professionals.
She was also a member of the National Honor Society, the Science Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, and the High Honor Roll in high school, and she received the Wendi Birnbaum Memorial Scholarship in June 2023, which was awarded to a deserving Fayetteville-Manlius senior. Lee was named one of Syracuse.com’s Best and Brightest students in 2022.
Penn held an in-person support session on Monday. Student Health and Counseling’s Let’s Talk program also hosted drop-in hours on Friday.
CAMPUS RESOURCES
- The Division of Public Safety’s HELP line (available 24/7): 215-898-HELP/215-898-4357
- Student Health and Counseling (if you have a personal or academic concern and want to talk to someone at Penn): 215-746-WELL/215-746-9355
- The University Chaplain’s Office: 215-898-8456
- Student Intervention Services (if you aren’t sure where to go or you’re concerned about a friend): vpul-sisteam@pobox.upenn.edu and/or 215-746-1203
