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CUI Mourns the Loss of One of Our Students

CUI Mourns the Loss of One of Our Students

IRVINE, CA (January 15, 2021)—

Dear Concordia family,

It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news of the passing of one of our students this morning. Shortly after leaving water polo practice this morning from the Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine, freshman student-athlete Ryder (Garrett) Wade was involved in a car accident as he rode his motorcycle. Ryder, a Behavior Science major with an emphasis in Psychology, was pronounced dead at the hospital. On behalf of the University, we extend our deepest sympathy to Ryder’s parents, family, and his sister Bailey who is also a student here at Concordia University Irvine.

A series of gatherings for students will be held on campus offering counseling and pastoral care. This morning at 11 a.m., students met in the CU Center for counseling and pastoral care. An outdoor gathering will be held this evening at 7 p.m. in the Amphitheatre also offering counseling and pastoral care. If you’re unable to attend but would still like to talk with someone, students can receive counseling by contacting the Wellness Center at (949) 214-3102 or for spiritual care contact Campus Pastor Quinton Anderson at (949) 214-3111 or email at [email protected] .

I have reached out personally to Ryder’s family to pass along condolences of the CUI community. We’ve offered support to the family as they grieve the loss of Ryder. For now, we want to give the Wade family and Ryder’s friends, classmates, and teammates time to grieve. If there’s any kind of memorial planned later to honor Ryder’s memory, we will let you know. Thank you, Concordia family, for your prayers.

At this time, we trust in the enduring and sure promise and hope of new life in the Resurrection and in the statement of the Lord:  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Rev. 21:4).

In Christ,
President Michael Thomas

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