It is with a sad heart that I inform the Creighton community of the death of Janelle Hornickel. Janelle, who was a junior in the College of Business, and her boyfriend, Michael Wamsely, were lost in a snowstorm last week. On the seventh day of searching for Janelle, her body was found shortly before 11:00 a.m. today. Michael’s body was recovered last Thursday. Hundreds of people joined in the search these past days including scores of Janelle’s sisters from the Delta Zeta sorority and members of the Creighton staff.

At a time like this we pray for Janelle and Michael, for the mystery that was their life and their death. We remember and extend our support and prayers to their families and friends. We too experience their loss. We offer our support to Janelle’s sorority sisters, her colleagues in Alpha Kappa Psi, her classmates, and the faculty and staff of the College of Business.

At moments like this we recall what a wonderful community Creighton University is. Though we are modest in size, we know one another, we care about one another, and we go about our affairs with a sense of solidarity. We laugh and cry with a sameness. We know each other by name. It is within this community of solidarity that we can pray to our common God by whatever name comes to our lips and fills our heart. Please join me in prayers for Janelle and Michael and their families; for they are part of our family also.

So as we open a new semester, with all the excitement and expectation of new beginnings, we are mindful of the words from the book of Ecclesiastes: "There is a season for everything, a time for every occupation under heaven...a time for tears, a time for laughter; a time for mourning, a time for dancing...a time for war, a time for peace."

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Details of Janelle’s funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President