The inauguration of RIT President William Destler was tempered by the loss of two students in a early morning fire.
The ceremony began with Provost Stanley McKenzie asking the crowd to observe a moment of silence for the students who died.
“Sadly as we gather to celebrate a new chapter we are reminded of the fragile nature that is the cycle of human life,” said McKenzie.
Syed Ali Turab and Seth Policzer were killed when a fire tore through their off campus home. Both were 21-years old and in their fourth year at the school.
President Destler talked about the tragedy hours before his inauguration.
“This is practically every parents nightmare. you send your children to college to increase their chances that they'll have a successful life and you don't expect them to not come home again,” said Dr.Destler.
Destler says he expect the school to rally around this tragedy.
“You don’t tend to an issue like this without having friends colleagues faculty members staff and so forth know you and care for you and I'm sure they'll be a very troubled community out there today and throughout the weekend as we contemplate this loss,” said Dr. Destler.
School officials say counseling will be made available to students and a memorial is being planned.
