A 27-year-old New School doctoral student was fatally struck by a train in Union Square Wednesday afternoon was remembered as dedicated to her work and a devoted friend.
Kea Fiedler, a Ph.D. candidate in the Milano program, was hit by a Brooklyn-bound L train about 4 p.m., according to her friend and classmate, Noah Allison.
Investigators believe Fiedler committed suicide but said their investigation is ongoing, according to Allison.
“I went to the Medical Examiner yesterday and spoke to the investigators. I also spoke to New York City transit. It does sound deliberate, but the investigation is still open,” Allison said.
Friends and mentors of Fiedler were confused and shocked by her death. Prior to her entering the train station she had made plans with friends to watch the presidential debate and was excited about her recent advances in her doctoral research.
“There were all these clear signs for plans for the future. I don’t know what happened between walking from school to the train,” Allison said.
Fiedler was known as a bright, outgoing student who sought to bring everyone in the program together.
“It became evident to anyone in the class that she was the most competitive and hardworking student. But, she also liked to have fun,” Allison said. “She was very inclusive.”
Originally from Bremerhaven, Germany, Fiedler was halfway through her doctorate, said David Howell, an economics professor at Milano who has worked closely with her. She has been apart of the New School community since 2014, working as a researcher, teaching assistant, as well as a teacher at both Lang, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Prior to the New School, she received her bachelor’s degree in sociology at the Universität Bremen in Germany, and her Master of Science degree in social policy at The London School of Economics and Political Science, Allison said.
“It’s just inexplicable to me, it’s not the student I knew,” said Howell. “She had every reason to live.”
Fiedler was a student in the Public Urban Policy Program, who focused on the working class and minimum wage in both Germany and the United States.
“She was a dynamic and active member of our community as a student, teacher, researcher, activist, friend, and mentor. We will miss her greatly,” Michelle DePass, the dean of Milano, emailed students on Thursday.
President David Van Zandt also sent his condolences in a university-wide email Thursday.
“I am deeply saddened to inform you of the tragic loss of a member of The New School community,” he wrote.
“Our hearts go out to her family and friends and we offer them our deepest condolences. I hope you will keep Kea in your thoughts and prayers,” the president added.
The Milano School will be holding two gatherings in honor of Kea on Monday. One during the afternoon for faculty and staff from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at 72 Fifth Ave. in room 528, and one for students from 6 to 8 p.m. in the seventh-floor common area of 72 Fifth Ave.