Susan Murphy, vice president for student and academic services, expressed the university's condolences Monday on the deaths of two Cornell undergraduate students during the university's winter break.

Clayton DeFisher, 20, a junior biology major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences from Williamson, N.Y., died Jan. 1, 2010, in Williamson after suffering cardiac arrest. On Dec. 26, 2009, Adam Frey, 23, a member of the Class of 2011 in the College of Arts and Sciences, from Shaler Township, Pa., died at UPMC Shadyside in Pittsburgh, almost two years after being diagnosed with cancer.

"Life is so fragile, and we must honor it. Both Clayton and Adam were very active, involved and compassionate members of our community, and they will be greatly missed," Murphy said. "I want to express the university's deepest condolences to their parents, family and many friends."

DeFisher was a Hunter R. Rawlings III Cornell Presidential Research Scholar, an avid traveler and a member of the Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) staff, for which he taught tree climbing, including during COE's summer adventure camp for teens.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Williamson Senior High School in Williamson this Saturday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be directed to the Clayton J. DeFisher Scholarship Fund in c/o of Williamson Senior High School, P.O. Box 900, Williamson, NY 14589.

Before entering Cornell, Frey wrestled at the Blair Academy, one of the top high schools for wrestling in the nation. He was a member of Cornell's wrestling team for two years and was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2007. A CAT scan taken after he had a car accident in March 2008 indicated that he had cancer. He went public with his battle, blogging on http://adamfrey.us and founding the Adam Frey Foundation to raise money for and promote cancer research. Memorial donations can be made to the Adam Frey Foundation, 121 Horizon Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.

On-campus memorials at a later date for both students are being planned in coordination with their friends and families.

Cornell students seeking additional personal support can contact Gannett Health Services' Counseling and Psychological Services at 607-255-5208 or http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/CAPS/offsiteSupport.html. For more information about plans for on-campus memorials, contact the Rev. Kenneth Clarke, director of Cornell United Religious Work, at 607-255-6002.