Henry Rogers, a Wharton senior studying finance and marketing, died the morning of Oct. 9, according to an email notification from Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum.
Rogers, 22, died in his off-campus residence, the email said. At Penn, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, a former captain of the heavyweight rowing team and part of Cohort Shekel in the Wharton School. He was from St. Louis, Mo., where he attended the John Burroughs School from 2008 to 2014, according to his LinkedIn profile.
According to a member of Beta Theta Pi, Rogers did not die by suicide.
"We do not know the exact cause of death, due to the pending report, but it was most likely natural causes," he said. "We have had many people ask about it as if Henry’s death was a suicide, and it was not. It was a sudden incident that shocked us all."
The spokesperson for the Philadelphia medical examiner's office Jim Garrow said confirmation on Rogers' cause of death is still pending and may take up to 12 weeks to confirm.
"Pending cases are usually due to additional forensic testing. Depending on the tests, [the length of time] varies," Garrow said in an email.
Henry W. Rogers / LinkedIn
Rogers is the fifth Penn student to have died this year, and the third to have died this semester. College senior Nicholas Moya died by suicide on Aug. 31, and Brett Cooper, a student in the School of Veterinary Medicine, died less than two weeks later on Sept. 13. Cooper's cause of death is still unknown.
"Henry was and always will be the prime example of what a Beta should be at Penn," College senior and President of Beta Theta Pi George Avdellas said. "But more than that, he was an example of what everyone should strive to be at Penn. Henry lit up every room that he walked into and made sure everyone felt welcome and safe."
“Both at Burroughs and at Penn Henry was an all around superstar,” said College sophomore Elizabeth Luhnow, who attended the John Burroughs School with Rogers. “Smart, athletic, charismatic, social — but most importantly, he was kind to everyone. That’s a trait not many people can say they have.”
Rogers' team mates from the heavyweight rowing team said the Wharton senior was a natural leader.
“Everybody on the crew team gravitated towards him because he brought a positive energy and was always ready with a quip on the toughest, most stressful days," said 2016 College graduate Conor Davenport, who was the captain of the men’s heavyweight rowing team last year. "Even the older, self-assured guys on the team looked to Henry for approval, and he strove to make everyone around him happy.”
CAMPUS RESOURCES
The HELP Line: 215-898-HELP
Counseling and Psychological Services: 215-898-7021 (active 24/7)
Student Health Service: 215-746-3535
Wellness Resources
Office of the Vice Provost for University Life: 215-898-6081
University Chaplain’s Office: 215-898-8456
Reach-A-Peer Helpline
- 215-573-2727 (every day from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
- 215-515-7332 (texting service available 24/7)
Penn Benjamins (in-person peer counseling)
- Su, M, T 8-11 p.m. Harnwell Library First Floor
- W, Tr 8-11 p.m. Houston Hall Chaplains Office
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