Duke Freshman Alexandra Burakow Dies from Brain Aneurism

We have just learned about the tragic death of Alexandra Marie Burakow of Fairfax Station, Va., who joined Duke this year as a member of our freshman class. We are told that Sasha was on her way home for winter break on Saturday morning when she suffered a brain aneurism. She passed away yesterday.

We had only begun to know this talented young woman, whose achievements in high school ranged from varsity athletics to the national semifinals of the prestigious Intel Science Competition. Her death is a great loss not only for her classmates who lived with her on East Campus and who shared classes and activities, but for all of us in the Duke community. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends on campus, in Virginia and everywhere Sasha touched people's lives. She will be deeply missed.