ECSU Announces Death Of Well-Known Sophomore

Written by WFSB 3-TV

WILLIMANTIC, CT — A popular student at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic passed away last week, the school confirmed.

Sophomore Carl Thompson of Hartford passed away on Nov. 9, according to vice president of student affairs Michelle Delaney.

The university president said he died of natural causes.

“Carl was a pre-social work major, a resident assistant and the student government Treasurer,” Delaney said. “He was a resident assistant in a first year building so he was very well known and loved.”

She said she remembers Thompson as an involved student who was loved by many.

The same was said when Thompson went to Kinsella Magnet High School in Hartford. Thompson, a Hartford native, graduated in 2022.

Joe Kopf, the assistant principal of Kinsella Magnet, spoke highly of Thompson.

“He was a wonderful person, he was part of our National Honor Society, he was also a Hartford Promise Scholar,” said Kopf. “He had that natural compassion for other people. He would have been a wonderful, social, worker.”

Thompson was involved in a music group on campus. He also was treasurer for the student government.

“He will be greatly missed by his classmates, friends, faculty, and other members of our campus community. Please join me in extending our thoughts and prayers to Carl’s family and friends during their time of grief,” said Delaney.

ECSU said that students who wish to speak to a counselor can contact the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services staff at 860-465-0181.

(Editor's note: This story was written by WFSB 3 TV staff and posted on Patch with permission. Read more WFSB 3 TV stories here).