BY EMILY MIBACH
Daily Post Staff Writer
Norah Borus, a computer science student who ran a coding camp for youth in her native Kenya, was identified yesterday (June 17) as the Stanford undergrad who was found dead in campus student housing on Friday (June 14).
But the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner, who identifed Borus, yesterday wouldn’t give the cause and manner of her death, saying that information is still pending. Police said on Friday that they don’t suspect foul play.
Borus, 24, was enrolled in Stanford’s co-terminal degree program, which allows students to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the same time. She majored in computer science and was interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning, according to a statement from Stanford.
Borus, as a fellow for the Haas Center for Public Service’s Alexander Tung Memorial Fellowship, she ran a nine-week coding camp with 20 participants in Nairobi, according to Stanford. She spent many of her school breaks in Kenya to serve as a mentor, the university said in a statement.
Borus was also active with Stanford’s African Studies Center, and was a vocalist. She lived in performing arts-focused student housing.
A sense of loss
“To say that she will be greatly missed cannot begin to capture the sense of loss experienced by her family, friends and loved ones. We will continue to do all we can as a university and community to support her family through this difficult time. We wish to remind students, faculty and staff that nearly all services available during the academic year remain open during the summer. Please reach out to these resources, and to family, friends, loved ones, clergy members, and any others in your circle of care,” Vice Provost for Student Affairs Susie Brubraker-Cole and Tiffany Steinwert, dean for religious life, said in a statement.
Commencement, which occurred on Sunday, included a moment of silence for the students who died this year.
Borus was the fourth Stanford student to die since February.
• On Feb. 11, materials science and engineering doctoral student Ziwen “Jerry” Wang died by suicide in an engineering lab in the Paul G. Allen Building.
• On March 8, Olympic cyclist and computational mathematics student Kelly Catlin died by suicide in her campus residence.
• And on March 22, Stanford junior and Palo Alto High School graduate Mischa Nee died after falling on some rocks while hiking on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
“We on campus will be available to all of you throughout the summer and into the fall. The significance of our on-going conversation about supporting student health and well-being has never been greater. You have our commitment, along with that of fellow university leaders, to engage fully in these critical issues and needs,” Brubaker-Cole and Steinwert said.
People need to toughen up. But the culture of higher education treats everyone as if they’re fragile snowflakes. So the increase in suicides is not surprising, actually you’d expect it.
have some respect
I am so sorry for the loss to the Stanford community, and to the student’s family, and hope they don’t see the trolling of outsiders as reflective of who we are or how we feel in the wake of her passing.
Its a great loss to those of us who knew Norah since her childhood. May God of all comfort be your strength Dinah even as you lean on His unchanging arm.
Actually, nobody has said this was a suicide.
Did mike S do the autopsy or does he know something that we as a family don’t know?
Are you claiming that Santa Clara County Medical Examiner has leaked confidential information to you?
Have respect please and let the system work