Sacred Heart University in Fairfield is mourning the loss of one of their own, Caitlin Nelson, who died tragically last week after choking on pancakes during a Greek Life charity event. The student body gathered last night in solidarity and prayer to pay tribute to their classmate, friends, and sorority sister.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Caitlin was studying social work at Sacred Heart and was Vice President of her sorority, Kappa Delta. She also volunteered at the Resiliency Center of Newtown.
Numerous media reports, including this one published in then NY Daily News, say that Nelson died after she went into convulsions Thursday night during the pancake eating contest at the Greek Life charity dinner.
The President of Sacred Heart University, Dr. John Petillo reflected on the loss in this recent blog post:
Last night, more than a thousand students, faculty and staff gathered at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit for a Mass in remembrance of Caitlin. Most were forced to stand outside the doors of the building. I don’t believe I have ever seen as big a turnout at the Chapel. I say it all the time—this is an incredibly special community. I love the way we welcome visitors with such warmth, smile at strangers that we pass on the walkways and hold the doors open for one another. But we are at our best in times of loss—whether we are helping the victims of a hurricane, providing food for needy families at the holidays, supporting community members who may feel disenfranchised or mourning the loss of one of our own. We come together to offer prayers, console each other and remind ourselves of the preciousness of life.
I want to take a moment to thank you all for the way you have taken care of each other. That includes those of you had a role to play professionally. So many folks in so many departments worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to care for all the members of the SHU family and are continuing to do so. I want to remind everyone that counselors from the counseling center and from Campus Ministry are available to any student, faculty or staff who want to avail themselves of those services.
Finally, if you are looking for another way to honor Caitlin’s memory, I have a suggestion. Caitlin was the philanthropy chair for her sorority and had set a goal to raise $15,000 for their national charity event called Shamrock the Runway for Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA). PCAA works to promote the healthy development of children and prevent child abuse before it can occur with the goal of helping children grow up and contribute in their communities. The event takes place on April 11, and Caitlin was already 2/3’s of the way to her goal. If you would like to remember Caitlin in this way, you can click here to make a contribution.
Please keep Caitlin, her loved ones, and the entire Sacred Heart community, in your prayers.
*Images from Sacred Heart University.