News on the loss of an engineering student

Dear students, faculty and staff,

I am writing today on behalf of the president and provost to forward tragic news about the loss of a student. The following message was sent last night to the Department of Electrical Engineering’s students, faculty and staff. Jacob Meisel was pursuing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees when he passed away in Palo Alto on Monday. In honoring the family’s wish for privacy, we can only share that the cause was unrelated to COVID-19. We know this is difficult news to bear, especially at a time of great loss worldwide. Yesterday afternoon, we began reaching out to Jacob’s friends, classmates and faculty, and we will continue to do so in the days and weeks to come. This morning, we are conveying this information to the entire campus so that we can share in consoling those who are grieving. Every life lost strikes a blow to the heart of our community, and the loss of such a young and promising person is especially sorrowful. I hope that each of you will take the time you need to seek support in the ways that are most helpful to you. The Department of Electrical Engineering provides below an extensive list of university resources. Please know that there are many who are here to support you.

Sincerely,

Susie Brubaker-Cole
Vice Provost for Student Affairs

Dear Electrical Engineering Community,

It is with a heavy heart that our department shares the loss of EE MS coterm student, Jacob Meisel. Our community is deeply saddened by this tragic loss amidst an already challenging time. We understand that this news may be very stressful for everyone that may have been directly and indirectly impacted. We want you to be aware that there are various support services that are available to you.

• The Graduate Life Office deans are available to help graduate and professional school students 24/7 at (650) 723-7288; provide pager ID number 25085 to the operator.  Website: https://glo.stanford.edu/.
• Undergraduate student support is also available 24/7 and can be reached at (650) 504-8022.
• CAPS on-call services are available 24/7 for all students at (650) 723-3785. Website: https://vaden.stanford.edu/get-help-now
• Stanford community members in need of pastoral or spiritual counseling may contact the Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life, Tiffany Steinwert, at tsteinwe@stanford.edu. More info about the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life is at https://orsl.stanford.edu/.
• Resources for grieving students can be found at https://grieving.stanford.edu/.
• The Student Affairs website has several resources for students: https://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/resources-our-communities
• The Faculty Staff Help Center is available to all faculty, staff and post-docs. Website: https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/faculty-staff-help-center/about-us/contact-us.Appointments can also be made using this form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaJXfuRsXGvdfo1fHfs5CYDV2TXzzYhN8otpyTqPRyN7kC4g/viewform
• The EE Student Services team is also available to speak with you and/or let you know of the resources that are available to you.
  • Meo Kittiwanich, Director of Student & Academic Services, Packard 168. Email: meo@ee.stanford.edu Phone: (650) 723-6539
  • LaToya Powell, Admissions Officer, Packard 170. Email: lapowell@stanford.edu Phone: (650) 736-2070
  • Marisa Cheng, Academic Affairs and Programs Administrator, Packard 171. Email: mcheng2@stanford.edu Phone: (650) 725-9327
  • Teresa Nguyen, Student Financial Officer, Packard 164. Email: teresan@ee.stanford.edu Phone: (650) 736-8171
  • Rachel Pham, Degree Progress Officer, Packard 177. Email: rcpham@stanford.edu Phone: (650) 723-3194

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us. Please check in with one another and take care of yourselves, your friends and family, and those around you.

Sincerely,
The Department of Electrical Engineering