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University officials are scrambling to put into effect preventative measures as Loyola students attempt to cope with the meningitis-related death of a classmate.
Trent Fucich, psychology junior, died in his Cabra Hall dorm room Tuesday. According to the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., university president, medical examiners notified the university on Wednesday that the cause of death was meningitis.
While the precise type of meningitis, either viral or bacterial, is not yet known, the university is following the protocol concerning bacterial meningitis recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The university is encouraging any student who may have been in contact with Fucich to take a single dose of ciprofloxacin. According to Vicki McNeill, associate vice president of student affairs, Student Health Services will have 650 doses of Cipro as of press time. Wildes added that Loyola would acquire as many doses of Cipro as necessary.
Fucich was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity where he served as social co-chair. He was in his third year of studying psychology and Japanese.
His fraternity brothers remember him as encompassing brotherhood, service, loyalty and compassion.
"He pretty much embodied the ideals of our fraternity," said Justin Breaux, political science senior.
Another friend remembers him as loyal, funny and always willing to help someone in need.
"If anything was wrong or if I had a test or was sad about anything, he'd just sit there and talk to me and make me feel better about life," said Ashley Genz-Foster, an English writing junior. "He was just a really friendly guy ... he'd always come up and give you a hug to say hi."
Genz remembers seeing Fucich the day before his death.
"I saw him Monday, and he told me he was really tired," she said. "He thought he had the flu or something."
On campus, friends erected a banner in memory of Fucich with the Phi Psi motto, "In Loving Memory: Trent Wise Fucich. Live ever, die never."
Breaux said the fraternity wanted to let other people know it cared about Fucich, and the banner was a way of remembering him.
Charles Alexander can be reached at cpalexan@loyno.edu. Naomi King can be reached at nsking@loyno.edu.
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