In the early hours of Saturday, August 31, Kevin Figaniak, a senior at Wheeling Jesuit University from Perkasie, Pa. sustained traumatic injuries during an off-campus assault with individuals not associated with the institution. He was pronounced dead on Sunday shortly after 3 a.m. Another Wheeling Jesuit student was with Kevin at the time of the incident, but was not seriously injured.

As a Catholic university, we are uniquely blessed that our religious traditions offer us support in all of life's situations. We have been providing the entire Wheeling Jesuit community opportunities for worship, counseling and reflection. Staff members from residence life, the counseling office, campus ministry and athletics continue to minister to the students' needs.

University officials have been working with local law enforcement and cooperating fully with the investigation. Tuesday morning, the Wheeling Police arrested two men and have charged them in Kevin’s death. The investigation remains active. We would like to thank the Wheeling Police Department for its work on this investigation and the great care they have provided Kevin's family and Wheeling Jesuit University.

In addition to our regular 24-hour security, we have reviewed the University's security procedures, which were updated this summer as a matter of course, and believe them to be robust. Since the incident, we have increased security guards on campus, in addition, we continue to provide escorts for students, faculty and staff upon request.

Evening Masses will be held tonight and tomorrow at 9:15 p.m. in the Chapel of Mary and Joseph. The Masses will give our community the opportunity to pray for the repose of Kevin's soul, Kevin's family and for our community in this time of loss. We invite members of the local community to join us.

At the request of the family, The Kevin Figaniak Memorial Fund has been established at the University. Anyone wishing to make a gift in Kevin's memory, can contact Noah Mull, Wheeling Jesuit University, 316 Washington Ave., Wheeling, W.Va. 26003, nmull@wju.edu or 304-243-8148.

We thank everyone for your prayers and support.

Obituary for Kevin Figaniak