In memory of Kartik Vasudev | MyNews | Seneca Students

TO: All students and employees
FROM: David Agnew, President
RE: In memory of Kartik Vasudev

Today, a service is being held to remember Kartik Vasudev, a 21-year-old Seneca student who was randomly and viciously murdered last Thursday in Toronto.

Kartik was an international student who joined us in January. He came from India, where his family – his parents and a brother – live in a city near the capital of Delhi.

Like so many of our international students, Kartik was hoping to make a new life in Canada after finishing his studies with us. A university graduate, he was enrolled in a graduate certificate in marketing. Within weeks of coming to Canada, he was already working at a part-time job. By all accounts, he was a bright, friendly and nice young man.

I had the privilege of attending a candlelight vigil for Kartik on Sunday, organized by the Seneca Student Federation. On behalf of all of us at Seneca, I expressed our sorrow, our condolences to the family and how we struggle to make sense of a senseless act.

We have been in touch with the family and have worked with the Indian Consulate to support Kartik's family as best we can through this painful and grievous time.

Our international students have every right to ask if they can be assured that they have come to a safe city and country. Indeed, when such violence happens, we all ask ourselves what has become of our community.

This is not a time for statistics, but I want to reassure all of the Seneca community that Toronto, Ontario and Canada remain among the safest places on earth. Sadly, but inevitably, bad things happen. They are rare.

Some comfort was delivered yesterday by Toronto police when they announced the arrest of a man charged with Kartik's murder. He was also charged with the murder of another innocent victim.

Our thanks go to the police for their quick action in arresting a suspect, the off-duty paramedic who tried to save Kartik after he was shot and the witnesses who provided investigators with information that helped lead to the arrest.

Again, our condolences to the family and friends of Kartik Vasudev, a young man taken far too early from a world that would have been better for his presence.

Kartik Vasudev Memorial Service

Wednesday, April 13, 2022 - Service begins at noon

Lotus Funeral and Cremation Centre Inc.
121 City View Dr., Etobicoke, Ontario

Zoom link
Meeting ID: 817 4920 7863
Passcode: 959923

Students in need of support during this difficult time can contact the Counselling and Accessibility office. You can also access MyWellness and Good2Talk online or by phone at 1.866.925.5454.

Employees can access the Employee and Family Assistance program through Human Resources.