Five ISU students and one incoming freshman died during the summer of 2002.

“The loss of a student is the hardest part of my job,” said Pete Englin, dean of students.

Englin said his office learns of the death of a student from the student’s family, such as when parents request the university stop sending mail. Others work with the Dean of Students Office, and others to plan a memorial service or establish a scholarship in memory of their child.

But the university isn’t always informed of the circumstances surrounding student deaths, Englin said.

Michael Hansen of Gretna, Neb., died May 14 of injuries sustained in a pool accident. Hansen was a senior in industrial engineering and a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He was 23.

John Harvey Taylor of Harwood, Md., was a graduate student in electrical and computer engineering. He died May 20.

Daniel S. Peterson, was a junior in production operations management and transportation logistics. Taylor, formally from Excelsior, Minn., died June 8 from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident. The 21-year-old was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

Thomas Doerr, was a doctorate student in mechanical engineering. He died June 12.

Incoming freshman Nicholas Pinneke died July 16.

On July 21, Bryce Grimm, of Westgate, died from injuries sustained in a car accident. He was a sophomore in horticulture.

“We work with family and friends . to support them and help them work through their grief,” Englin said.

Student Counseling Service, on the third floor on the Student Services Building, is one option for students affected by loss. In the past, the center has offered grief support groups, but they will not be offered in this fall because of lack of interest. Students, though, can still call to schedule a screening appointment.

Staff psychologist Jennifer Sikute said if the students’ needs match services offered, they will be provided with a counselor.

She said grieving students need to remember that everyone’s reaction to a death or loss is unique.

“There is no predictable response,” Sikute said. “It may hit later. They need to pay attention to how they’re feeling. If they are functioning fine, that’s not bad. Everybody has a unique pattern.”

Anger and sadness are common themes and talking about the events and their feelings can help, she said.

“Many people find a lot of comfort in telling the same stories,” Sikute said. “To not keep it inside is pretty important.”

– Amber Billings contributed to this story.