Benjamin Daus ’25, a first-year in the College of Arts and Sciences, died from a hiking accident sustained over winter break, Vice President for Student and Campus Life Ryan Lombardi wrote in a Wednesday afternoon email.
Daus was interested in biology and was a member of the Big Red Marching Band. He was a Cornell Tradition fellow and also participated in a Pre-Orientation Service Trip last summer, prior to beginning his studies at Cornell.
Originally from Flemington, New Jersey, he was known as a gifted pianist and an avid traveler, according to Lombardi.
Cornell will be holding a community support meeting on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m on Zoom.
Students in need of professional mental health support can call Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 607-255-5155 and employees can call the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) at 607-255-2673. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all CAPS and FSAP services are currently being delivered via telehealth. Whenever these services are closed, calls are answered by Cornell Health’s on-call mental health provider. The Ithaca-based Crisisline is also available at 607-272-1616. A wide range of supportive resources is also available at mentalhealth.cornell.edu.