University student and Chi Omega member Lill Pagenstecher died Friday night, according to Chi Omega sorority’s Twitter account.
Sisters are forever. Thank you everyone for your support. Rest in peace beautiful Lill- your smile and laughter is already missed.
— Chi Omega (@UOChiO) May 12, 2012
Friends and the campus community have been tweeting about Pagenstecher and posting messages on her Facebook page throughout the day Saturday. The 21-year-old graduated from Lincoln High School in Portland in 2009.
University spokeswoman Julie Brown said the cause of death is likely bacterial meningitis. The University has yet to release her name.
Lill Pagenstecher
Lill Pagenstecher, 21, died Friday of bacterial meningitis.
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Brown said anyone who spent four hours of close contact with Pagenstecher during the last seven days might be at risk of infection. Students who have an unexplained fever, headache or neck pain should go to the University Health Center or local emergency room.
“We’ve been working with the Lane County health department to identify individuals who would have had close contact with the student,” Brown said.
According to an Associated Press article, about 100 people have already received medication.
Vice President of Chi Omega Alexa Westerbeck said the student had meningitis during her freshman year. She said Greek Life will hold a candle light vigil tomorrow night for Pagenstecher.
The last time a University student died of meningitis was in February 2001, when Kappa Delta member Jill Dieringer died at Sacred Heart Medical Center.
Update: Lane County Public Health test results confirm Pagenstecher died of bacterial meningitis, according to The Register-Guard.
A sign on Chi Omega’s front door reads: “The Chi Omega house is closed. Thank you for understanding.” (Alex McDougall/Oregon Daily Emerald)
The University’s press release and bacterial meningitis fact sheet:
