The newly appointed master of Jonathan Edwards College, Richard Lalli MUS ’86, sustained a brain hemorrhage on Sunday, and his condition is unknown.

Lalli, who is scheduled to assume office Jan. 1, is recovering at Yale-New Haven Hospital, JE Dean Kyle Farley told students in an e-mail message this morning. “I hope you will keep Richard in your thoughts and prayers,” Farley wrote.

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In a brief telephone interview this morning, JE Master Gary Haller said he was told Lalli had “done well through the night,” but he said he was given no other information on Lalli’s condition.

“I don’t know much about a prognosis because I don’t think they have one,” he added.

Lalli, an adjunct professor of music, broke barriers last winter when he became the first openly gay person to be named the master of one of Yale’s residential colleges. Lalli’s partner, Michael Rigsby MED ’88, is the medical director for Yale University Health Services.

“We are focused for now on Richard’s recovery,” Rigsby said in an e-mail message this afternoon. “I and his doctors are extremely optimistic. Nothing means more to Richard that his work as a teacher and soon-to-be master of JE, and we expect that he will tackle both with his usual energy and enthusiasm as soon as possible.”

“The love and support of so many wonderful students and colleagues has been tremendously gratifying,” Rigsby added.

In his e-mail message, Farley said Lalli would begin to serve as master as soon as he is able, but he did not elaborate. A hospital spokesman did not immediately respond to an inquiry about Lalli’s condition.