Tragic Loss of an Incoming Student

To the BSU Campus Community,

It is with deep sadness that I again share news of the tragic death of a member of the Bowie State University community. We learned through media reports that Damion Callery, Jr., an incoming freshman student, was killed by gunfire from an unknown assailant at his home in Burtonsville on Saturday night. Damion attended a recent New Student Orientation session and was set to begin classes next week. I have expressed our sincerest condolences to the Callery family as we all grieve this tremendous loss.

We are all still grieving the loss of another student and bright light in our community. Services for Keshon Nowlin, who died last Sunday after a car

accident, will take place this week. The public viewing takes place tonight from 5:30-8 p.m. at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Home, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133. The wake and celebration of life will take place tomorrow, starting at 10 a.m., at Bibleway Christian Fellowship Church, 4412 Maine Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21207.

For the Bowie State community, the traumatic loss of two of our bright young students within a week takes a heavy emotional toll on us all. It is an especially difficult time for our staff in Student Affairs, who worked so closely with these students. I want to express special encouragement to each of them as they continue the process of welcoming our new students this week.

To support students, faculty and staff who want to discuss feelings of grief and loss, Counseling Services is offering special “Let’s Talk” sessions on Wednesday Aug. 21 and Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 2-4 p.m. in the Student Center, Columbia Room. Students can also seek individual consultation in the Counseling Services office in the Martin Luther King Jr. Communication Arts Center, Room O300, from 8 a.m. – 5p.m. Monday – Friday.