Western community to gather at 4 p.m. today for Dwight Clark

Community members will gather at 4 p.m. today in Red Square on the Western Washington University campus. The gathering comes on the heels of news that the Bellingham Police Department earlier today confirmed that a body found this morning in Bellingham Bay is that of missing WWU student Dwight Clark.

WWU President Bruce Shepard sent out a message earlier regarding the news:

Dear Western Community,

For the past week, Western Washington University and Bellingham as a whole have felt a deep ache: one of us, Dwight Clark, has been missing. Even though the uncertainty of Dwight's whereabouts has been agonizing, it allowed us to hold out hope that he would be found alive and well.

I am so sorry to report that we have been informed by the Bellingham Police Department of very strong indications that the body discovered this morning on the Bellingham waterfront was that of Dwight Clark. We are profoundly saddened, and extend our deepest condolences to the Clark family and all who knew Dwight personally.

The Bellingham Police Department will continue to investigate, and more information from them will be forthcoming.

For now, along with the Clark family and friends, we grieve and ache for this loss.

I would like to invite everyone touched by this tragic event to gather this afternoon on Red Square at 4:00 p.m. to remember Dwight and to grieve together. We look forward to future opportunities to remember Dwight. For now, it is important that we pause as a community, acknowledge this terrible loss, and give each other support. Again, all on campus and in the larger local community are welcome to attend, and parking enforcement will be suspended during the event.

For students who would find talking to a counselor helpful, the WWU Counseling Center, located in Old Main 540, can be reached at (360) 650-3164.

Now, and in the coming days, it is important for all of us to care for one another, knowing that Dwight's loss was a tragic one for our whole community. To his family, friends, and loved ones, and all those who are grieving, we extend our support and deepest sympathy.

Bruce