The Kansas Wesleyan University Community is mourning the loss of a professor. Dr. Eileen St. John, head of the teacher education department, passed away in her office Thursday morning.
According to Salina Police, Thursday morning at 7:48 officers were dispatched to Kansas Wesleyan University in regard to a person, now identified as St. John, who was injured in one of the buildings. Officers, Salina Fire, and Salina EMS responded and worked with KWU Security to locate the scene. The location was secured by officers and the paramedics entered the location, where she was declared deceased.
According to KWU, Dr. St. John was a leader on campus and a family-oriented individual, who gave her all to her students every day. She will truly be missed, and they will post additional information remembering her life and her effect on KWU in the very near future.
Dr. St. John had been the head of the teacher education department at KWU since 2020.
Classes are cancelled for Thursday and Friday, and all activities – to include Athletics – that are scheduled through Sunday will be postponed. In addition, Pioneer Hall is locked down.
Chaplains are available for any of the KWU family.
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UPDATE: A death on campus prompted Kansas Wesleyan University to cancel classes Thursday.
According to Salina Police, Thursday morning at 7:48 officers were dispatched to Kansas Wesleyan University, 100 E. Claflin, in regards to a person who was injured in one of the buildings. Officers, Salina Fire, and Salina EMS responded and worked with KWU Security to locate the scene. The location was secured by officers and the paramedics entered the location. The person was declared deceased.
The school sent out the following message:
“Many of you may have noticed police and EMT presence on campus this morning. There is no danger to the community. However, there has been a significant tragedy on campus this morning. All classes are cancelled for the day.”
There is no indication that there is any further danger to any facility, staff, or students at KWU.
Detectives responded and the investigation is on-going.
Further information will be provided when possible.
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ORIGINAL: What’s described as a “significant tragedy” on campus has prompted Kansas Wesleyan University to cancel classes Thursday.
The school sent out the following message Thursday morning:
“Many of you may have noticed police and EMT presence on campus this morning. There is no danger to the community. However, there has been a significant tragedy on campus this morning. All classes are cancelled for the day. Leadership will brief different segments of campus at 9 a.m.”
This story will be updated when more details become available.
