Sad News for Our Community

Dear University of Hartford Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the death of one of our students. Solomon Haynes, a junior majoring in audio engineering technology, passed away this weekend in a tragic accidental drowning while camping with friends in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.

Solomon was an honors student with a love of music. He hosted a popular weekly radio program on student radio station WSAM, and colleagues remember him as a source of wisdom and an incredible friend. In high school, he found his passion for music production at ParaDYM Academy in New Britain, Connecticut, where he continued to work while attending UHart. He taught himself to play the guitar and piano, and took lessons to learn to play swing music.

Solomon’s family describes him as “a loving and caring young man who believed everyone should be treated with love, tenderness, and care.” He put those beliefs into practice during his several years at New Britain ROOTS, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting food security and agricultural education. This summer, Solomon was a program assistant, building school gardens alongside young students. His friends at ROOTS remember his “kindness and the way he treated others, leaving positivity behind every path he followed.”

This is the second devastating loss for our community this month. I know many of you knew Solomon and will acutely feel and grieve his loss. If you need additional support, please do not hesitate to contact Aaron Isaacs, dean of students, at aisaacs@hartford.edu or 860.768.4285. We are here to help and can assist in identifying resources within our campus and region.

Please keep Solomon’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We will work with Solomon’s loved ones, and the family of incoming student Melissa Marchese, to honor their memories this fall.

Sincerely,

Gregory Woodward
University of Hartford President