iradiophilly | News - Alert Sent to Philadelphia Colleges; Former Philly NCAAP Leader Passes; Swarthmore Student ID'd

Streaming Radio for Philadelphia
More Music. Fewer Interruptions. Just what you want to hear.

FOLLOW:

News
Talk about what's in the news


The Post

Alert Sent to Philadelphia Colleges; Former Philly NCAAP Leader Passes; Swarthmore Student ID'd

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 10/05/15 3:46 am | updated: 10/05/15 3:46 am

Local colleges and universities are on heightened alert going into Monday after the FBI and ATF sent out a warning of a threat of violence made against Philadelphia area colleges. The threat itself surfaced on the online forum 4chan and was posted anonymously on Friday. It threatened violence to a "university near Philadelphia" on October 5th at 2 pm, as a possible follow-up to the recent attack in Oregon. The FBI says that this does not constitute any specific threat but that everyone should be extra vigilant on Monday as you go about your day on campus. Most of the area's dozens of institutions of higher education have already sent out messages on their own from their campus security and police departments to students, faculty, and employees notifying them of the alert. This includes Villanova, Temple, La Salle, Saint Joseph's, Drexel, and University of Pennsylvania. They all will be open and operating normally but will be closely monitoring the situation with local and federal law enforcement officials.

Read the FBI and ATF's statement to schools:

Out of an abundance of caution, the FBI Philadelphia Field Office notified local colleges and universities of a social media posting which threatened violence at a Philadelphia-area college or university for Monday, October 5. No specific college or university was identified in the posting. We encourage students, faculty, and employees at area colleges and universities to follow the guidance of their campus security officials. The FBI will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to investigate threats of violence, and, as always, we ask the public to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.

The former President of the Philadelphia NAACP passed away on Sunday at Jefferson University Hospital surrounded by family and friends. Jerry Mondesire suffered a brain aneurysm while undergoing kidney dialysis at Chestnut Hill Hospital. Mondesire was a civil rights activist and journalist eventually owning the Philadelphia Sun newspaper. He started serving his tenure at the top of the local chapter of the NAACP in 1991 before being suspended last year for financial issues. He was 65. His family issued a statement:

The family of Jerome Whyatt Mondesire, publisher of the Philadelphia Sunday Sun and former president of the Philadelphia NAACP died Sunday evening - October 4th at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mondesire, 65 was with family and close friends. Details about the memorial service are forthcoming. The family wants to thank everyone for their love and support.

A Swarthmore College student died Saturday after falling down a rocky cliff on campus. The student was identified as 18-year-old Anthony Chiarenza of Bayside, NY. He fell a few dozen feet in the Crum Woods in the back of campus that contains some hiking trails. It happened around 2:45 p.m. He was found by local residents who called 911. Valerie Smith, the school's new president who was being installed on campus in her new role at the same time, sent a letter to all students, faculty, and staff:

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

With profound sadness I write to share the tragic news that Anthony Chiarenza '18, from Bayside, N.Y., died this afternoon in Crum Woods, after an apparent fall. Anthony was found unresponsive by local residents who called 911. Police and authorities responded and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. His family has been notified, and we have contacted as many of his close friends and faculty members as possible. Please keep the Chiarenza family and their friends in your heart, thoughts, and prayers.

There's no easy way to share this news, and I know that receiving it via email can make it even more difficult. I encourage you to seek the comfort and support of your friends and colleagues. The Dean's office will be available in the Admissions Commons tonight to offer support. CAPS support is also available for students who may want individual counseling (610-328-7768).Tomorrow, CAPS will hold open hours from Noon to 3 p.m.

Please look out for one another during this very sad time and remain alert to your friends' and students' needs.

Sincerely

Val Smith

Weather
Partly Sunny, 66 in Center City

See full image from
4chan