Shock and Grief Flood Kansas Wesleyan University After Sudden Passing of Beloved Professor –
Kansas Wesleyan University Professor Found Dead in Office
On the morning of February 8th, Dr. Eileen St. John, head of the teacher education department at Kansas Wesleyan University, was found deceased in her office located in Pioneer Hall on campus. The exact cause of death for the beloved professor remains undisclosed at this time.
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The Salina Police Department responded to a 911 call just before 8 AM regarding an individual injured inside one of the campus buildings. When law enforcement arrived on scene along with Salina Fire Department and Salina EMS, they discovered Dr. St. John already deceased in her office. Kansas Wesleyan University security assisted with the investigation.
KWU is mourning the loss of one of its own this morning, Dr. Eileen St. John. Read President Thompson's statement to campus at https://t.co/jHxrZVa7O2. pic.twitter.com/XNkz0LiRsc
— Kansas Wesleyan (@goKWU) February 8, 2024
Classes Canceled as Shocked Community Mourns Loss
In the aftermath of the tragic news, Kansas Wesleyan University has canceled all classes for the remainder of this week. Other campus activities have also been postponed to allow students and faculty to grieve.
University President Dr. Matt Thompson shared the development with students, faculty, and staff Thursday morning through email and the school’s official website. His statement requested that the campus community “process this terrible news together” while offering “grace, patience, and kindness” as they mourn the loss of “one of their own.”
Law enforcement and university administration confirmed there was no ongoing threat or danger to anyone else on campus.
At this time all practices are canceled and athletic contests through the weekend are postponed. Schedule adjustments will be announced as they become available. https://t.co/CM1aprBnZn
— Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes (@kwucoyotes) February 8, 2024
Outpouring of Tributes Honors Beloved Professor’s Legacy
Following the untimely passing of Dr. Eileen St. John, students and faculty of Kansas Wesleyan University have shared heartfelt tributes and condolences for their late professor.
Junior Skyler Evans described Dr. St. John as “caring” and “loving,” stating “She will be greatly missed by everyone here at Kansas Wesleyan and in the community.”
Sophomore Maria Stanislaw remembered the deceased professor as “kind and caring” while also calling her “fun” and “laid back.”
After attending the somber campus meeting about the tragedy, Sophomore Cynder Toman said, “You could feel the pressure in the air of how serious this was…As soon as her name was mentioned, I just felt everything drop. I was in absolute shock.”
Senior Aubreigh Heck told reporters that students were “supporting one another” during this difficult time, adding “I think for the future this will bring this community just a whole lot closer.”
Others said Dr. St. John’s enduring legacy would be her compassion, humor, and ability to connect with students.
President Thompson Urges Community to Mourn Together
In his official statement, President Thompson asked the campus community to “mourn Dr. Eileen St. John’s passing together, while remembering her life and impact on Kansas Wesleyan University.”
He acknowledged, “This is a time that many of us have never faced, but I want you to know that we will get through it together, as a family…People grieve differently, in different ways and at different times, and we want you to know that we respect that.”
The university called in counselors and chaplains from across Salina to provide grief support for mourning students, known as “Coyotes.” Students have also been encouraged to reach out to Student Development or Human Resources if they need assistance coping with the loss.
The sudden passing of beloved professor Dr. Eileen St. John has clearly impacted the close-knit Kansas Wesleyan University community. Her caring spirit and passion for teaching will be remembered through the legions of students whose lives she touched. Though she is gone, her legacy will continue inspiring future generations of educators.
