Passing of a Wake Forest student

The following message was sent to Wake Forest parents and families

Dear Wake Forest Parents and Families,

I write with sadness to let you know of the death of a Wake Forest University student, Margaret Ann (Maggie) O’Sullivan (’21) on campus last night. Maggie was a freshman from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. We extend our prayers and condolences to her parents, family and friends during this very sad time.

As you might imagine, our first priority is to attend to the needs of students on campus and to Maggie’s family. To that end, our Vice President for Campus Life, Penny Rue, and her team, including members of the Chaplain’s Office and Counseling Center staff, have been providing support services to the family and our campus community. We also wanted to provide this information to all of our parents and families, as we know you are deeply concerned about your students and their friends.

Copied below are the three messages shared earlier today with the campus community. As with all campus-wide emails, those are archived on the Family News section of the Parents and Families page.

Ongoing sources of support in the coming weeks will be available from The University Counseling Center (336-758-5273) and the Office of the Chaplain (336-758-5210). Remember, it is a sign of strength to be able to ask for help. Please urge your students to seek support as they need it.

Please know we are doing all we can to support our students at this difficult time. Should you have any questions, please feel free to be in touch at chapmaea@wfu.edu.

Sincerely,

Betsy Chapman (’92, MA ’94)
Executive Director of Family Communication and Volunteer Management

Dear Wake Forest Students, Faculty and Staff,

I am saddened to inform you that Margaret Ann O’Sullivan, a freshman from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, died Friday evening, April 20, in her room at Johnson Residence Hall.

We extend our condolences to her family and fellow students, as well as faculty and staff who knew her. Maggie was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.

Maggie’s passing is a loss for the entire Wake Forest community. May her family and friends find comfort and support as they grieve her loss and remember her life.

The University will share information on services for Maggie when that information is available.

Each of us is affected by loss in different ways, and there is no right way to grieve. I encourage you to take care of yourselves and your fellow Deacs during this difficult time.

Wake Forest offers support and counseling services for all students, faculty and staff. The University Counseling Center may be reached at 336-758-5273 and the Office of the Chaplain may be contacted at 336-758-5210. For faculty and staff, there is also the Employee Assistance Program at 336-716-5493. Please do not hesitate to seek support.

Sincerely,

Nathan O. Hatch
President

Following the death of Maggie O’Sullivan last night, the University Counseling Center is open this afternoon (April 21) for drop-in visits by students. The Counseling Center will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. at its Reynolda Hall Office, Room 117.

In addition, the Office of the Chaplain will host a gathering of community members in Reynolda Hall’s Green Room at 2 p.m. The gathering is being held to in honor of Ms. O’Sullivan’s life and to assist community members in supporting one another at this time.

Wake Forest Communications and External Relations

University officials are aware of various rumors circulating among the campus community related to the potential cause of Maggie O’Sullivan’s death on Friday night.

At this time, we have no reason to believe alcohol, or any other form of self-inflicted injury, contributed to her passing. Further, Dr. Chris Ohl, MD, Infectious Diseases specialist at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, has reviewed available clinical information and has concluded that at this time there is no indication that there is a risk of transmission of a serious or life-threatening illness to other persons related to this death. If currently pending laboratory tests suggest otherwise, potential contacts will be notified as to whether evaluation and preventive treatment is necessary.

Wake Forest Communications and External Relations