We write with sad news that Matthew Margulis, a member of the Kresge College community, died on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Matthew was a senior, and a double major in philosophy and linguistics. He was, by all accounts, an ambitious, well-rounded, and dedicated student, diving into upper division work in his first year, and keeping active as a violinist in the university orchestra. He was a likely candidate for honors cum laude, and made a positive impact on his classmates and teachers in several departments, and throughout our campus community. He will be greatly missed.
"Matthew was an outstanding philosophy major, peer adviser, and leader of the Philosophical Slug Society," Philosophy Chair Daniel Guevara said. "He will be greatly missed."
Kresge College will host a candlelight vigil for Matthew, Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Piazzetta (http://kresge.ucsc.edu/commonground/about/our-space.html). In case of rain, it will convene in Kresge Seminar Room 159. This event is open to all members of the UC Santa Cruz community who wish to pay tribute.
Students had planned to gather at Matthew's regularly scheduled writing workshop at 10 a.m., Nov. 19 at Cowell 222 where staff distributed his handout, "Thimk: Strategies for Writing an Undergraduate Philosophy Paper."
Paul Roth, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, said he had Matthew "as a student both in an individual reading course and (by my invitation) in my graduate seminar. In the reading course, he and I worked through a number of works by Ruth Millikan, and Matt’s knowledge of linguistics proved invaluable in this process. I deeply appreciated the seriousness and thoroughness that Matt brought to his work. Indeed, I had encouraged him to develop points he had made in papers that he wrote for me into an article. He planned to go to graduate school (I have recommendation forms for him on my desk.)
"It comes as no surprise when one hears from people of professors who influenced them. It seems less often that we professors acknowledge how students can touch us and how we learn from them. I would like to acknowledge that of Matthew Margulis."
A posthumous degree will be awarded.
A memorial service for Matthew was scheduled at San Diego’s Congregation Beth Israel, 9001 Towne Centre Drive, San Diego, Ca. 92122, Sunday, November 22.
Sad and shocking news can be difficult to process. We encourage students who wish to speak with someone to contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at (831) 459-2628. Faculty and staff may wish to call the Employee Assistance Program at (831) 459-4996.
