Ryan Lafferty Obituary – Cause of Death Hanover, N.H: Dartmouth College Mourn The Sudden Loss Of President of the Dartmouth Parliamentary Debate Team

Hanover, N.H. — Dartmouth College is mourning the sudden death of Ryan Lafferty, a member of the Class of 2026 and president of the Dartmouth Parliamentary Debate Team, according to campus officials.

Lafferty died early Monday, senior vice president for community and campus life Jennifer Rosales and interim dean of undergraduate student affairs Anne Hudak said in a message to the campus community.

In their statement, Rosales and Hudak described Lafferty as “a fiercely intelligent and deeply kind person” who made a lasting impact on those around him.

Lafferty was a prominent member of Dartmouth’s debate community, serving as president of the Parliamentary Debate Team. He competed at the highest levels of collegiate debate and earned international recognition. In January, he and his debate partner, Madeleine Wu, secured first place at the World Universities Debating Championship in Panama City.

“Ryan was a fiercely intelligent and deeply kind person who gave generously of his time, expertise and resources,” the statement read. “His friends say that these accomplishments were rooted in a true love of learning and genuine care that he extended to others.”

The college announced several support resources for students in the wake of his death. The Counseling Center will offer extended walk-in hours throughout the week, while the Tucker Center will collect messages of condolence for Lafferty’s family. The Dartmouth Student Mental Health Union is also available to provide peer support.

University officials said a full obituary will be released in the coming days as the campus community continues to grieve the loss.