Weeks after Syracuse University student Andrew McClune’s fall from a seventh floor Sadler Hall window, there is still little information about the events which lead to his death.

Syracuse University spokesman Kevin Morrow said there is a continuing investigation involving the Syracuse Police Department and the Department of Public Safety but added it looks like McClune’s death was an accident at this point.

McClune fell at about 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 13 from a seventh floor window in Sadler. Public Safety responded and found McClune unconscious near the loading dock outside of Sadler, Morrow said. An ambulance also responded and transported McClune to University Hospital where he died two hours later, Morrow added.

‘Investigators have determined at this time there was no foul play but the exact circumstances that led to his death have not been determined,’ Morrow said.

McClune lived on the third floor of Sadler but was in the room of two other students when he fell, he said.

Morrow could not comment on whether drugs or alcohol were a factor because of the open status of the investigation.

Syracuse Police Department spokesman Sergeant Tom Connellen said none of the toxicology reports have come back difinitvely as of yet and investigators are awaiting those reports before making any further decisions about the case.

“We know that death occurred but we are awaiting the final report from the medical examiner which has not come yet,” Morrow said.

McClune was a Lockerbie Scholar, a freshman in The College of Arts and Sciences, and an ROTC cadet.

Because of the shock in the university community this death caused, counselors and chaplains were available to students throughout the day on Dec. 13 in Sadler and there was a gathering earlier that afternoon at Hendricks Chapel. McClune’s mother and stepfather, Deborah and Sandy Scott, and his best friend from Lockerbie, Scotland, arrived at SU on Dec. 16 and met with Public Safety, Student Affairs and the Syracuse Police Department, Morrow said. The group also visited the funeral home where McClune’s remains were, he said. They returned to Lockerbie along with McClune’s remains on Dec. 18, Morrow said.

During a Dec. 21 memorial service at the Place of Remembrance a candle was lit and a rose was laid to remember McClune, he said.

McClune’s funeral was held on Dec. 23 in Chapel of Rest in Lockerbie, Morrow said. Judy O’Rourke of the Office of Undergraduate Studies and Peter Leuner of the SU London Center attended the funeral representing SU, Morrow added.

Colonel Mark Perodeau, head of the Air Force ROTC program at Syracuse University, said McClune was a bright student who took a personal interest in the training the United States Air Force cadets undertook. He could not have been able to become an officer in the U.S. Air Force but became active in Air Force ROTC, including the introduction to Air Force course in which he was an A student, because of his desire to someday be a member of England’s Royal Air Force, Perodeau said

‘He was a sharp professional with good humor,’ he said.

McClune dreamed of one day flying for the English RAF and hoped learning about the American style of training would help, Perodeau added.

Perodeau said when he heard of McClune’s death he had a feeling of disbelief and was surprised and shocked.

Cicia Halasowski, a freshman undecided major in Arts and Sciences and an ROTC cadet, described McClune as outgoing, smart and funny.

‘He was really sweet,’ she said. ‘Like one of those all around good guys.’

Published on January 13, 2003 at 12:00 pm