It is with a heavy heart that I share with the campus community the news that Stephen Karl, a counselor in the Ithaca College Center for Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS), passed away unexpectedly on Friday from natural causes.
Along with the entire IC community, we offer our sincerest condolences to Stephen’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who are affected by his passing. We ask that you please keep him and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.
Stephen had two decades of clinical experience as a mental health practitioner in a range of settings before joining the team in CAPS in 2017. He had previously been a psychotherapist with the Integrative Medicine Center in Ithaca, and held his master’s degree in clinical social work and public policy from Rockefeller College of Public Policy and Social Welfare at the University at Albany.
Stephen’s work focused on children and adults presenting with symptoms of ADHD, depression, and anxiety, and he had extensive experience in the treatment of addictions and their impact on families and significant others. Beyond his specific expertise, he was a compassionate caregiver and dedicated colleague, whose approach to wellness and healing encompassed the entirety of mind and body. His loss will be deeply felt on campus and in the community.
Support services for students are always available through CAPS by calling 607-274-3177 and following the prompts to reach the after-hours, on-call counselor. Students in distress needing immediate assistance should contact the Office of Public Safety at 607-274-3333 or the on-duty residential life staff.
As always, we will have crisis appointment hours each day Monday through Friday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. You can contact CAPS at 607-274-3177 Monday through Friday to schedule a same-day appointment.
Faculty and staff can access the counseling services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by calling 1-800-327-2255.
The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life has a website dedicated to grief resources, and can also provide support by contacting Lauren Goldberg, interim director of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, at lgoldberg2@ithaca.edu.
We will be holding a gathering for members of our campus community who have been impacted by Stephen’s death to come together to support one another. We hope that you can join us for the gathering in Muller Chapel at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6. You can participate remotely, if you wish, via this Zoom link: https://ithaca.zoom.us/j/97753621801?pwd=cEJCZmNNZ1V1SFovMzZtZHZYL0hIUT09
With deepest sympathy,
Bonnie Prunty
Dean of Students
Division of Student Affairs and Campus Life