Ryan Lafferty Obituary, Hanover, NH Death: Community Mourns A Loss

Dartmouth College is deeply mourning the loss of Ryan Lafferty, a member of the Class of 2026 and president of the Dartmouth Parliamentary Debate Team. Lafferty tragically passed away early on Monday, as confirmed by senior vice president for community and campus life, Jennifer Rosales, and interim dean of undergraduate student affairs, Anne Hudak, in a message to the campus community.

Described as “a fiercely intelligent and deeply kind person” by Rosales and Hudak, Lafferty’s impact on those around him was profound. He was a key figure within Dartmouth’s debate community, serving as president of the Parliamentary Debate Team. His talent in debate earned him international acclaim, including winning first place at the World Universities Debating Championship in Panama City in January, alongside his debate partner, Madeleine Wu.

The college highlighted Lafferty’s deep passion for learning, his generosity of spirit, and his commitment to sharing his knowledge with others. His friends and colleagues remembered him for his kindness and his dedication to making a difference in the lives of those around him.

In response to his passing, Dartmouth has announced several support services for students. The Counseling Center will extend walk-in hours for the week, while the Tucker Center will be collecting messages of condolence for Lafferty’s family. The Dartmouth Student Mental Health Union is also offering peer support to those in need.

University officials have indicated that a full obituary will be shared in the coming days, as the community continues to mourn the loss of a remarkable student and leader.