Drew Everson

DURHAM, N.C. - Drew Everson, a Duke University senior from Tampa, Fla., died Sunday following an accidental fall behind the East Union Building on Friday morning.

Everson's family, including his brother A.J. who graduated from Duke in 2009, was with him at Duke Hospital at the time of his death.

"Drew leaves behind many, many friends throughout the Duke community," Larry Moneta, the university's vice president for student affairs, wrote in a message to students. "It saddens me greatly to share such tragic news and I hope we can all comfort each other as needed."

The university is planning a memorial service in Duke Chapel at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 27, followed by a reception in Scharf Hall adjacent to Cameron Indoor Stadium.

President Richard Brodhead and other university officials have been providing support to Everson's family and friends. Two Student Affairs officials, Sue Wasiolek and Todd Adams, stayed at the hospital with the family throughout their two days at the hospital. On Sunday afternoon, students gathered in the Devil's Den on campus to offer support to each other. The campus has made counselors available to provide care and support to Everson's friends and others. Interested students should contact Duke Police at 684-2444 and ask for the dean on call.

"The death of a student is the saddest moment for a university, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Drew's family and friends, and to the many people at Duke whose lives he touched," said Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations.

A political science major, Everson spent the past summer in New York working as an intern with Goldman Sachs. He was recently weighing job offers to pursue after graduation this spring. He was working toward a certificate in markets and management. He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi and the Duke Debate Team and served as a line monitor for Duke Men's Basketball.

Everson was found outside the East Campus building at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Duke Police and Durham EMS responded immediately, transporting him to Duke Hospital. The investigation so far has determined that his injuries were the result of a tragic but accidental fall. No further details will be available until the review is completed.