<p>Just heard about the tragic death of a St. Olaf student. My condolences to anyone at, or with friends/relatives at, St. Olaf; how devastating! Does anyone know the circumstances? Does it appear to be a natural (albeit tragic) event?</p>
<p>We had a prayer vigil on campus last night where they told us what they know, which at this point is not much. They really have no idea what caused the girl's death. Nothing as far as alcohol or controlled substances was found in the room where she died, and as far as I know she was in good health. Total shock to all of us. I didn't know her well, but she lived in my dorm last year and one of my friends went to the same high school so I had a meal or two with them last year. We're a close-knit campus, so yesterday was a tough day even for those of us who didn't know her well. It was a beautiful day, a perfect day for the last day of classes, but there was definitely a somber tone as the evening wore on and the news spread around. Keep her family/friends in your thoughts and prayers.</p>
<p>We will keep her family and friends in our prayers. She was a gifted person. A newspaper article said that she was an honors high school graduate and a varsity athlete too.</p>
<p>Preliminary autopsy reports are saying that she died of atherosclerotic heart disease, aka clogged arteries. As horrible as this has been on campus, administration is being really flexible, allowing students to make-up final exams that interfere with her funeral, and are even chartering buses up to the Twin Cities so friends can attend the wake and funeral. The sense of community around here is such that even those of us who weren't close to her feel the loss.</p>
<p>I emailed here and was given the address for sending a condolence card:
<a href="mailto:schmidt@stolaf.edu">schmidt@stolaf.edu</a>. My heart goes out to this family!</p>