A memorial service is being planned for Princeton graduate student William "Bill" Zeller, who died Jan. 5, 2011, at a local hospital as a result of injuries sustained in a suicide attempt at his home near campus. He was 27.
A University service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, in the Garden Room of Prospect House with a reception immediately afterward. The service is open to members of the Princeton University campus community and Zeller's family and friends.
A native of Middletown, Conn., Zeller was pursuing a doctoral degree in computer science, having earned his master's degree from Princeton in 2008. He received his bachelor's degree from Trinity College in 2006. He was active in the Graduate Student Government and participated in an influential technology blog, among other activities.
Zeller is survived by his parents, George Zeller and Anna Zeller, his elder brother, John, and his grandfather William Zeller, in addition to numerous aunts and uncles.
"The University has lost a very promising computer science student and an individual with many close friends within his research group and across campus," said William Russel, dean of the graduate school. "We in the Graduate School and others from University offices offer sincere condolences and continuing support to Bill's family and his friends on campus and across the country. We are planning a memorial service to provide students and members of the Princeton family an opportunity to honor his memory."
Counseling services have been and continue to be made available to the campus community.
The University offers a full range of student support services, including crisis intervention, mental health screenings and other counseling services, and students who would like to speak with counselors are encouraged to call (609) 258-3285 to reach Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). University Health Services is open 24 hours daily, and clinicians at CPS are available from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. After hours and on weekends, a counselor is available on call to respond to urgent needs and can be reached by calling (609) 258-3139. Pastoral counseling also is available through the Office of Religious Life.
Interment arrangements for Zeller are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: William Zeller *08 Memorial Fund, Princeton University, Alumni and Donor Records, P.O. Box 5357, Princeton, NJ 08540. Gifts should be made payable to the Trustees of Princeton University, with William Zeller *08 noted in the memo line.