02/17/2014
To the Frostburg State University Community:
As I’m sure most of you are aware, we lost a member of our FSU community last Friday in a devastating fire. Lateef Gazal was a senior in our Business Administration major and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Lateef lived in Bowie and was a member of Delta Sigma Pi, the professional business fraternity; the Marketing Association; and the African Student Association. Dr. Sudhir Singh, adviser to Delta Sigma Pi, said Lateef was a wonderfully warm and cheerful individual who was always the first to chip in for any of the group’s activities. I’m sure his thoughts are echoed by many others who knew Lateef.
We offer our deepest condolences to Lateef’s family and friends, and we ask you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers and offer them support in these difficult days to come. An on-campus memorial is in the planning stages; we will forward information as it becomes available.
I would also like to convey a message from Dr. Ahmad Tootoonchi, dean of the College of Business:
“All of us at the College of Business are truly saddened for the tragic loss of our beloved student, Lateef Gazal. Lateef was one of our best and brightest, and will be missed tremendously. He was enthusiastic, energetic, and highly regarded by faculty, students, and staff of our college.
On behalf of all of us at the College of Business, I express our deepest Condolences to the family and friends of Lateef.”
There were three other students who were displaced by the fire. The staff of Student and Educational Services have been working with them to provide them rooms and meals, as well as to determine what other needs they have.
FSU is working with United Campus Ministries to be a clearing house for campus efforts to assist in meeting their needs, and those of Lateef’s family. Check with Chaplain Cindy Zirlott at 301-687-7490 or [email protected] if you or your group would like to assist, or for any other questions. Financial contributions may be made securely at www.unitedcampusministryatfsu.org/fire_victims_donations/ or by check made out to United Campus Ministry at FSU, with “For Fire Victims” in the memo line and sent to United Campus Ministry, c/o Rev. Cindy Zirlott, Hitchins 308, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD 21532.
Many people have expressed interest in assisting the surviving victims of Friday’s fire on Bowery Street, as well as the family of Lateef Gazal. FSU United Campus Ministry has agreed to be the central clearing house for these efforts.Financial contribution