University to hold mass for slain students

Suzanne Ciechalski, Editor-in-Chief • August 29, 2016

The University last week in an email announced that it would hold mass honoring the lives of Karina Vetrano and Arshell “Trey” Dennis III, who were killed earlier this summer. A separate mass will be held for each.

The email, which was a “Message from the President” lamented the deaths of Vetrano, an alumni, and Dennis, an undergraduate student.

“Both of their lives, filled with determination and great promise, were taken away far too soon. Karina and Arshell will always be part of the St. John’s family and remembered for the joy and spirit they brought to the University,” the email said.

Vetrano, 30, was an alumna of St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, having received a master’s degree in speech pathology. She was murdered earlier this summer while out for a jog in Spring Creek Park in her Howard Beach neighborhood, according to the New York Police Department.

Dennis, 19, was an undergraduate student in the College of Professional Studies studying journalism. He was shot and killed earlier this month in his hometown of Chicago, according to the Chicago Police Department, which held a press conference concerning shootings in the city the day after Dennis was killed.

A mass for Vetrano will be held Friday, Sept. 2 at 12:15 pm in St. Thomas More Church. Mass for Dennis will be held the following Friday, Sept. 9, at 12:15 pm. The University community is invited to join in honoring the lives of both students.

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About the Contributor

Suzanne Ciechalski, Editor-in-Chief

Suzanne Ciechalski is a senior journalism major with a minor in government and politics. In her second year as EIC, she hopes to continue increasing the Torch’s editorial content by spanning coverage to include news within the local community outside of SJU, and breaking news. She also hopes to expand the Torch’s visibility by building on the paper’s online presence and by reaching out to students through stories, journalism workshops and other events. Before graduating, she hopes to instill an element of community service within the Torch by reaching out to local high schools about how the Torch can help them build on their current newspaper, or develop one. Suzanne has been with the Torch for three years, previously serving as the opinion editor and as a staff writer. Have any questions? Email Suzanne at [email protected]