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A cybersecurity and networks major, Joshua Goodart '21 died on February 6 due to complications from COVID-19. The Undergraduate Student Government Association will host a physically distanced candlelight vigil on Friday, Feb. 12, that will be streamed online, and the University will award his degree posthumously at Spring Commencement.

February 9, 2021

Dear Members of the University Community,

I am writing with a very heavy heart to inform you of the passing of Joshua Goodart, a cybersecurity and networks major in our Class of 2021. A resident of Oxford, Conn., he died over the weekend due to complications from COVID-19. He became ill over Winter Break and was hospitalized last month. He had not yet returned to campus for the spring semester.

The Undergraduate Student Government Association will hold a candlelight vigil on Friday, February 12, at 5:30 p.m. near the Charger Statue next to the Beckerman Recreation Center. Face coverings must be worn at all times during the vigil and physical distancing will be strictly enforced.

Grief counseling is available through the University's Counseling and Psychological Services Office. Drop-in hours will be held on Wednesday at noon and Thursday at 4:30 p.m. in the Bartels Student Activity Center. Students can call to make appointments or seek support by calling 203-932-7333 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (an on-call clinician is also available nights and weekends) or by making an appointment through Navigate.

Joshua's adviser Liberty Page said he was passionate about his major, describing him as a "hardworking, sincerely nice, and happy person. He never had a complaint and was nothing but positive. I am thinking of his smile, how cheerful he was, and how excited he was about his future."

Joshua, 22, was looking forward to completing his senior Capstone Network Project this spring, and he was excited to take the University's "Ethical Hacking" course. He was working remotely on his internship course over Winter Break when he took ill. Joshua indicated to Prof. Page that he wanted to remain in his home state of Connecticut after Commencement, with the goal of working in network administration.

"He was getting ready to go into his career and to do a great job helping to protect the network of a company in our state," said Prof. Page.

The University will award Joshua's degree posthumously during our Spring Commencement and will invite his parents to be special guests, should conditions permit us to have an in-person Commencement.

The Carpino Funeral Home of Southbury has been entrusted with the arrangements. Members of the University community can and to share messages of remembrance about Joshua.

Please join me in extending our heartfelt condolences to Joshua's parents, his family, friends, and classmates, and let us commit to honoring his memory.

Sincerely,

Ophelie Rowe-Allen, Ed.D.
Dean of Students and Chief Student Affairs Officer