Most of you have heard that Valemont University senior Eric Gracen's body was found earlier this week. It has been a shock to our tight-knit community, and I have spent the past two days with students and faculty sharing our memories of Eric and his time here at Valemont.

While there is little we can do besides share whatever we might know with police officials - Investigator Casey Loomis has information on how you can do so - right now we are busy trying to locate Eric's next of kin. Eric's application to Valemont University has been misplaced by the Office of Admissions, and an officer told me that the cell phone discovered with Eric contains no information about any family members.

As Eric's adviser, I was privy to hearing his hopes and dreams about the future. A future that was cut tragically short. Eric Gracen was one of us in life. And he remains one of us, even in death.

I am reaching out to you - the Valemont community - to ask if you have any information at all, please let the police know.

I will resume office hours next week.

Best regards

Prof. Blunt