The Claremont McKenna College community grieves with the news that Atul Vyas, a senior and member of the Claremont McKenna College Class of 2009, died in a train crash that occurred Friday, Sept. 12 in Chatsworth, Calif. Atul was on his way home to see his parents in Simi Valley for the weekend when his Metrolink passenger train collided with a freight train. Atul was 20 years old, a brilliant physics and mathematics student, and planned to attend medical school after graduation from the College.
"As saddened as members of our community are, our heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Vyas family," said Dean of Students Jefferson Huang. "I met with the Resident Assistants last night to discuss this with them, and it was very clear how much Atul's passing is going to hurt our community."
"It is always sad when we lose a young person," noted President Pamela Gann. "It is especially poignant when one of our own, bound for a career of helping others, is snatched from a life of public service. All of us at Claremont McKenna College feel great sadness at Atul's tragic death. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his brother, Aseem Vyas, who graduated from CMC in May 2008, and to his parents, here in California."
Memorial services for Atul will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18 at the Cornerstone Church, 2080 Winifred Road, Simi Valley, 93063. This will be a drop-in memorial service format, with guests able to pay their respects between those hours.
A bus has been charted for students who would like to attend but have no transportation. Seating is limited, with sign-ups coordinated by the Dean of Students Office (please ask for Maria or Jim). The bus will depart Claremont at 2 p.m. from Sixth Street and Mills Avenue, on campus, and leave Simi Valley at 5:30 p.m.
The Vyas family is setting up an account to benefit the Claremont-based Uncommon Good organization, through which Atul was a mentor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of modest donations to this organization, which helps the poor receive access to quality education, healthcare, and legal services. (The account is expected to be available by week's end.)
Longtime lab partner and good friend Elisa Gutierrez '09 describes Atul as "always positive and infinitely patient.
"If anyone was ever stressing about something, Atul was the person who would say, Don't worry about it. You've got this (in the bag)!' Or he would say, Life is good, yours is, too.'"
The CMC senior, who studied abroad last spring through an exchange with McGill University in Montreal, was a fan of Calvin & Hobbes and Curious George books, and was known across campus for his expertise at Smash Bros., a Nintendo video game.
Tearful friends gathered to console each other inside Claremont Hall, where Atul was a resident, laughed momentarily about their classmate's economy of wardrobe. "He was always wearing a white T-shirt and shorts," Gutierrez said. "I heard that he even wore flip-flops in Canada."
Others grappling with the loss have turned to the CMCer's Facebook page to share remembrances. "It isn't fair, I'm really gonna miss you," a posting to Atul's Facebook site read on Sunday afternoon. "You were my best friend for more reasons than I could say."
Atul, who graduated from Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley, was the second in his family to enroll at Claremont McKenna College. Older brother Aseem, who graduated last May, works in London as an Investment Banker.
Those who may need grief counseling or psychological support are encouraged to contact one of the following groups:
The Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services Center (621-8202 during business hours, 607-2000 after hours)
The Chaplains of the Claremont Colleges (621-8685 during business hours, 607-2000 after hours)
The Resident Assistants
The Dean of Students Office (621-8114 during business hours, 607-2000 after hours)
Out of respect for the Vyas family, Claremont McKenna College does not have any additional information for the media at this time.