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Deaths of students recalled during Notre Dame graduation

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP/WISH) – The University of Notre Dame provost told graduating students the death of a classmate along with two other students who died during the school year are reminders their futures are not guaranteed.

The South Bend Tribune reports Provost Thomas Burish told those graduating Sunday the deaths are reminders of the fragility and preciousness of life.

One of those students, 21-year-old William Meckling of Centennial, Colorado, died early Saturday after falling off the basketball arena roof after climbing up there with others.

Meckling would have graduated with a mechanical engineering degree.

The Rev. John Jenkins, the university president, told the graduates they leave Notre Dame with many memorable moments, including helping to send the Rev. Father Theodore Hesburgh to his final rest.

Hesburgh served 35 years as the university’s president before retiring in 1987. He died in February.