Sophomore Michele Micheletti of Millbrae, CA, was killed Friday night after she was struck by an automobile while crossing Memorial Drive near New House.
Ms. Micheletti,19, was going to dinner with several other students from New House when she was hit by a car while crossing from the island toward the river. Campus Police administered CPR at the scene before the Cambridge Fire Dept. brought her to Massachusetts General Hospital. She was pronounced dead at 7:39pm.
Ms. Micheletti, who was majoring in electrical engineering and computer science, was a member of Alpha Phi and lived at New House. She was a counselor in the Freshman Leadership Program last August and vice president of New House 3. She also was on the student advisory group to the Task Force on Student Life and Learning.
"Michele had a joy of life that brightened everything around her," said Professor of Chemistry and Toxicology John Essigmann, housemaster of New House with his wife, Ellen. "She was everybody's friend. We shall miss her quick smile, her wonderful sense of humor and the great contribution she would have made to MIT over the years. Our community has lost one of its integral parts."
President Charles Vest said,
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic and completely senseless death of Michele Micheletti. Several who knew her well have commented on what an engaging and gregarious young woman she was, and on what a positive influence she had on those around her. Among other things, she was engaged in advising the Task Force on Student Life and Learning. I spoke last night by phone with her father in California and conveyed the sympathy of the MIT community. My heart goes out to her family and to her many friends here at MIT. Becky and I are grateful to John and Ellen Essigmann (New House housemasters), the New House resident tutors, Dean Leo Osgood and his colleagues in the Dean's Office, and the staff of the MIT Medical Department for their strong, caring actions throughout last night and today."
