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Campus mourns death of three students

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March 19, 2001

The campus community learned of the tragic deaths of three St. Olaf sophomores -- Anna Bonde, Sarah "Sally" Heitman and Chris Hoppe -- who died in a head-on collision on Saturday near Springfield, Ill. Classmates Nick Brown and Ethan Steinkraus were also injured in the accident.

St. Olaf President Christopher Thomforde said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone touched by the loss of these three wonderful people. This is a terrible time for all of us in the St. Olaf community. One way for us to deal with our grief is to do everything we can to help families and friends deal with their loss."

Dean of Students Greg Kneser added, "Anna, Sally and Chris were wonderful contributors to the St. Olaf community and to our greater society. It speaks volumes that they were going to be volunteering in a New Orleans elementary school as a part of their Spring Break. We will miss them greatly."

An on-campus memorial service will be scheduled for sometime after St. Olaf students return from Spring Break so that they can process the loss collectively. People interested in funeral information for Anna, Sally or Chris are invited to contact the St. Olaf Dean of Students Office at (507) 646-3503 or (507) 646-3615.

Related articles:

Star Tribune:
Students' death in crash brings shock, grief to close-knit St. Olaf

St. Olaf News Release:
Three students die, two injured in head-on collision

Star Tribune:
Spring-break trek ends tragically on Illinois highway for 3 from St. Olaf

Pioneer Press:
Crash kills 3 students. Two injured; all were on break from St. Olaf

Kare11.com:
St. Olaf plans memorial service

Contact David Neuger at 507-786-3315 or neuger@stolaf.edu.