KU News Release

KU chancellor issues statement on death of graduate Melissa Beth Evans

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway and Anita Herzfeld, professor of Latin American studies, issued the following statements today in response to the death Saturday of recent graduate Melissa Beth Evans, 21, of Lawrence.

Evans, who died at KU Hospital from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident Friday near Lawrence, graduated in May with bachelor’s degrees in history and Latin American studies. An honors student, Evans studied abroad in Costa Rica while a student and was the past president of the Latin American Solidarity student organization. She also was a member of Alternative Breaks, spending the spring 2007 break in Nicaragua. She was a 2003 graduate of Washburn Rural High School in Topeka. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church, 7433 SW 29th St. in Topeka. Memorial contributions may be given to Ecumenical Christian Ministries.

Chancellor Hemenway:

“Our hearts go out to the parents, brother, sister, family and friends of Melissa Evans, a bright young woman who had so much promise. On behalf of the entire University of Kansas community, I offer our deepest condolences on this tragic loss.”

Anita Herzfeld, professor of Latin American studies:

“Melissa died at the height of her best young years, when she was ready to take the world by storm. She had enormous potential for the future and was just beginning to blossom as a passionate activist, genuinely concerned about Latin America and its peoples.”

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