The University of Dayton is mourning the loss of 20-year-old Matthew Mayer, a rising junior and honors student who died early Monday in a car crash in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. Mayer, who was studying finance and accounting, had been part of the university’s tight-knit honors community. In the wake of his death, the school has created a memorial space in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception and is offering counseling and ministry support as the campus waits for details on funeral services.
University Statement and Memorial
According to a campus-wide email obtained by WHIO, university leaders said Mayer died early Monday morning as the result of a car crash. The message noted that “a memorial for Matthew will be set up in the first prayer niche of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception” and described him as a rising junior in the honors program studying finance and accounting. The campus community was invited to stop in, light a candle, or offer a prayer. Information on funeral services, the email said, will be shared when it becomes available.
Campus Involvement
Mayer’s academic focus extended beyond the classroom. The University of Dayton’s Hanley Center lists him among student leaders in its student-managed investing program, reflecting his commitment to finance and accounting, according to the University of Dayton Hanley Center. That role underscored the professional path he was building as he prepared to enter his junior year.
Support for Students
The campus-wide message also outlined support resources and emergency contacts for anyone affected by Mayer’s death, per WHIO. The university listed the Counseling Center at (937) 229-3141, Campus Ministry at (937) 229-3339, Student Development/UD Public Safety after-hours at (937) 229-2121, the Dean of Students at (937) 229-1212, the Health Center at (937) 229-3131, and the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) as resources available to students, faculty, and staff.
Community Context and Next Steps
Local reporting notes that UD has often turned to the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception as a gathering place for quiet reflection and memorials after campus deaths, a pattern highlighted by the Dayton Daily News. The chapel, described by the university as the heart of campus worship, now holds the memorial for Mayer. University leaders have said they will share funeral details once they are finalized, and those seeking spiritual support can connect with campus ministry through the Chapel offices.
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