UPDATE, FEBRUARY 12, 2:15 P.M.
The last 24 hours has been a difficult time for the Middlebury College community as we have searched unsuccessfully for information regarding the whereabouts of Nicholas Garza '11. Nick was last seen the night of Tuesday, February 5, when he left Stewart Hall, presumably to return to his room in Allen. The next day, one of his friends, unable to locate Nick, contacted his Commons Residential Advisor, who contacted the Department of Public Safety. Following a brief search of residence halls, it was suggested by a friend that Nick had likely left campus with friends, as students often do during the February break, and was out of cell phone range. Over the weekend, Nick's family called the Department of Public Safety to express their concern that they had been unable to reach Nick, and on Sunday filed a missing persons report with the Middlebury Police Department. On Monday, Nick failed to show up for his spring term classes, and I sent an e-mail to all students, faculty, and staff seeking any information on his whereabouts.
The Middlebury Police Department is pursuing all leads in order to locate Nick. Yesterday, they began a physical sweep of the campus, concentrating on the areas between Allen and Stewart halls. That sweep will expand today, as MPD, the Department of Public Safety, and the Vermont State Police fan out to other parts of the campus, where they will be using police dogs and other search methods, so please be respectful of the process by remaining on the sidewalks and out of the path of these search teams. At the same time, MPD is continuing to follow up on the possibility that Nick left campus last week. Once again, we urge anyone with relevant information to contact the Middlebury Police Department (388-3191) or the Department of Public Safety (443-5911).
Our hopes and prayers are with Nick's family and friends as we strive to confirm his whereabouts and safety. Friends and concerned students are invited to gather this afternoon at Château Grand Salon at 4:15 p.m. I will be there along with staff members from the Office of the Chaplain, the Center for Counseling and Human Relations, and Common Deans, and we will be prepared to offer support and direction for this gathering.
— Tim Spears
Professor of American Studies
Dean of the College
Middlebury College
Middlebury, Vt 05753
802-443-3300