Emerson College freshman Jocelyn Amelia Straus was found dead in her dorm room Tuesday night. The El Cerrito, California native was 19 years old.

Emerson President Lee Pelton sent out a college-wide email expressing his condolences. “She was a bright light taken from this world far too soon. Words cannot express our grief,’’ President Pelton said, “We will gather to remember and celebrate Jocelyn’s life at a memorial service at a later date, details about which we will share soon.’’

Staff from Counseling and Psychological Services are available today on the Emerson campus for those students who want to talk about the tragic news as well as individuals from the Office of Spiritual Life.


Straus was a freshman studying Political Communication and was currently enrolled in the College’s Honors Program. She was found “unattended’’ in her Colonial Residence Hall dorm room, according to Pelton’s statement. The cause of her death has not yet been released.