A Message from President Lawrence D. Czarda: Seth David Mandryk

The Greensboro College community is saddened at the unexpected death of Seth David Mandryk on Monday, March 20, 2023, in his off-campus residence on McGee Street.

Seth was one of the team captains and starter on the Greensboro College men’s lacrosse team and was preparing to graduate this May with a Master’s in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Seth was from Stonewall, Manitoba, Canada, and joined Greensboro College as a graduate of Barton College in 2022.

Greensboro College President Lawrence D. Czarda has spoken to Seth’s parents and shared his grief for the loss of their son. “We are grieving for the untimely death of this young man and while there are no words to describe this tragic loss, we hope that everyone will keep his family, teammates, and friends in their thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.”

“The GC TESOL community is deeply saddened by the loss of Seth Mandryk. His participation in his classes was exceptional and it was truly a pleasure to teach him,” said Dr. Michelle Plaisance, Dean of the School of Humanities and Director of Graduate Studies in TESOL. “He actively sought opportunities to grow and learn and took pleasure in a good challenge. We all looked forward to seeing his inevitable success in the TESOL field. Our hearts are with his family and his classmates of whom he frequently spoke so fondly.”

“Seth always had a smile on his face. From day one when he stepped on campus to meet the guys last spring, he greeted the new opportunity and his teammates with a huge grin. Even in the tough spots during games or in the locker room, he would smile and speak truth to everyone,” said Nate Bates, men’s lacrosse head coach. “Even though we only had him with us for a brief time, he leaves a hole in our hearts. His positive energy brought people close to him and we will sorely miss that. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his mom, dad, and family.”

Greensboro College does not have any information about future services or memorials, but  will update the community as it learns more information.

 At a time like this, it is normal to have many different feelings, including sadness, anger, and disbelief. Greensboro College encourages its campus to talk with your friends, your family, your colleagues, and whoever else gives you support. You can also find support resources on the Greensboro College Health and Wellness Services page at: https://www.greensboro.edu/student-life/student-health-and-wellness/

Students with any questions or concerns can contact us at gcstucomm@greensboro.edu<mailto:gcstucomm@greensboro.edu>.

As we mentioned before, GC staff are engaged with our campus community to deal with this tragedy. Let’s all support each other during this difficult time.

 Please keep Seth’s family and friends in your prayers.

Greensboro College provides a liberal arts education grounded in the traditions of the United Methodist Church and fosters the intellectual, social, and, spiritual development of all students while supporting their individual needs. Founded in 1838 and located in downtown Greensboro, the college enrolls about 1,000 students from 29 states and territories, the District of Columbia, and seven foreign countries in its undergraduate liberal arts program and six master’s degree programs. In addition to rigorous academics and a well-supported Honors program, the school features a 17-sport NCAA Division III athletic program and dozens of service and recreational opportunities. Learn more at greensboro.edu.

Think critically. Act justly. Live faithfully.

Joshua Fitzgerald photo

“I loved the GC Honors program and Greensboro College. I felt safe and a sense of genuine belonging at the college. I worked closely with my thesis advisor and professors who helped inspire me to define my path and passion of interest. That path has led me to my doctoral studies in Engineering Mechanics.”

- Joshua Fitzgerald, Class of ’19, Mathematics Major

Joshua currently studies astrodynamics at Virginia Tech University and is an Engineering Mechanics Ph.D. Candidate.