A Rutgers University student from Boonton was killed when he was struck by a train over the weekend, authorities said.

Kenneth Patterson was hit by Northeast Regional Train 65 around 4 a.m. Saturday in New Brunswick, said Jason Abrams, an Amtrak spokesman. There were no injuries to anyone aboard the train, which was headed for Norfolk, Va., from Boston.

Deba Dutta*, chancellor at the New Brunswick campus, said Patterson was a first-year student who played lacrosse with the club team and had "made an impact on the community" during his brief time at Rutgers.

"The holiday season is a period that should be filled with reunions with loved ones, so please keep Kenneth's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks," Dutta wrote in a letter to students, adding that grief counselors have been made available.

Patterson's death is under investigation.

*Dutta's name was misspelled in an earlier version of this article.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.