Meredith Kenneff, 20, Duquesne University, Died of Alcohol poisoning.

Meredith Kenneff, 20,  died on March 12, 2005.   The autopsy report released today revealed that she died of an alcohol overdose.  My sincere condolences to her family and friends. 

Tests Show Duquesne Soph Drank Herself To Death--UPDATED: 2:49 pm EDT April 13,  2005

PITTSBURGH -- The alcohol-fueled death of a Duquesne University sophomore student last month in Mount Washington has been ruled an accident.  Meredith Kenneff, 20, of Lancaster, Pa., collapsed at a house party on Ulysses Street on March 12, according to Pittsburgh police. She was taken to Mercy Hospital, where she later died.

Cmdr. Maurita Bryant said detectives didn't find anything at the house that would indicate foul play.  On Wednesday, the Allegheny County coroner said acute alcohol intoxication was the cause of death, based on toxicology results.

Police said Kenneff, an education major, had been drinking all day. Investigators are trying to find out how Kenneff got the alcohol.

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March 15, 2005

a memorial service was held on campus in Duquesne's Chapel. Attendance was extremely high with students packed into pews, a large congregation positioned behind the altar, a filled choir loft and side aisles that were crammed with people one behind the other. The overflow continued past the entranceway at the rear of the church.

The service began with the Rev. Sean Hogan noting the overwhelming turnout. "What a tremendous presence you make here tonight," he said. "What a tribute to Meredith Kenneff."

Cries echoed throughout the chapel during the mass as students comforted each other. At the sign of peace, many attendees substituted the traditional handshake with hugs.

Near the conclusion of the mass, interim dean of education, Dr. Rick McCown, spoke to those in attendance. "Pain in our hearts is difficult," he said. "But pain in young hearts is more difficult."

Meredith's roommate, Kate Johnson, a sophomore journalism major and fellow Sigma Lambda Phi sister also spoke. "I can't picture her face and not smile, I can't look at pictures and not laugh, and I can't think of who she was and feel anything but absolutely love and happiness," she said.

Johnson also told The Duquesne Duke, "[Meredith] had so much energy and effortlessly touched everyone she met. We should learn from that and her. She was an instant lift all the time."

Ronald C. Shidamantle, director of Greek Life expressed his sympathy in a prepared statement. "Along with the Duquesene University community, all members of Greek Life are deeply saddened by the death of Meredith Kenneff," he said. "We extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to her family and her friends. She will be missed by her many friends and sorority sisters."

Liz Enick, a junior communications major and sister of Meredith's in Sigma Lambda Phi remembers Meredith's happy spirit as contagious. "Every time we had a formal, she was always the one goofing off and having fun," she said. "She'd be in the center making everyone laugh. It's hard to do anything but smile when I think of her."

Avi Steindel, a junior psychology major, friend of Meredith and brother of the Gamma Phi fraternity remembers his time with her. "She was the kind of person that created the tone in the room," he said. "She had a way of making you feel comfortable with who you are, regardless of the setting."

As friends mourn both on the Bluff and in Lancaster, Nancy Kenneff remembers how her daughter loved Duquesne. "It was a perfect school for her," she said.

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In all cases, my deepest condolences to family and friends.

Underage Alcohol Deaths 2004
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2005
Underage Alcohol Deaths 2006

Signs of Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing, the heartbeat and the gag reflex that prevents choking. A fatal dose of alcohol will eventually stop these functions. After the victim stops drinking, the heart keeps beating, and the alcohol in the stomach continues to enter the bloodstream and circulate through the system. The victim may experience the following:

• Mental confusion, stupor, coma, unable to rouse the person
• No response to pinching the skin
• Vomiting while sleeping or unresponsive
• Seizures
• Slowed breathing  (fewer than 8 breaths per minute)
• Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
• Hypothermia (low body temperature), bluish skin color, paleness

Alcohol Poisoning Requires Immediate Medical Attention

Alcohol Poisoning Cannot Be Reversed By:

• Drinking black coffee
• Taking a cold bath or shower
• Walking it off

The victim must have immediate medical attention.
Call 911, stay with the victim to prevent him choking on vomit, and tell emergency personnel how much alcohol the victim drank.

These Children Died of Alcohol Overdose, So Their Parents Started Foundations:

Taylor Webster's memorial foundation.  Taylor died of alcohol  poisoning at age 19-- Now his family and friends are working  to get the message out, telling their stories and providing  information on alcohol poisoning and the signs and symtoms  of alcohol poisoning in hopes that lives will be saved.

Bradley McCue's memorial foundation.  On November 5, 1998  Bradley turned 21. . He celebrated  his birthday in a way that has become increasingly popular, drinking "his  age in shots". That amount of alcohol was lethal and he died  that night of alcohol poisoning.

Samantha Spady's memorial foundation. A 19-year old student at Colorado State University, Spady died of alcohol poisoning on September 5, 2004, "an unintentional tragedy."  The Spadys say the SAM [Student Alcohol Management] Spady Foundation will develop peer-to-peer counseling and other services meant to reduce the risk of alcohol abuse.

Gordie Bailey's memorial foundation Mission: to provide today’s youth with the skills to navigate the dangers of alcohol, and through education and promotion of self worth prevent alcohol poisoning, binge drinking and hazing. 

Kimberly Ostien's memorial foundation: "With binge drinking on the rise, we feel it necessary to get the message out on the danger of alcohol, especially excessive alcohol consumed in a short period of time.  Students are educated on drugs and alcohol but they will continue to experiment no matter what.  We want to educate on what to do when a friend falls down or passes out from drinking.  Often we want to put that person to bed to sleep it off and that is when the trouble can begin."  The card lists the information, above.

Comments

[Marsha]

I was going to say Duquesne hasn't changed a bit since I was there in the 1970's, but that isn't exactly true. Nobody died from alcohol or drugs the whole four years I was there. It seems Duquesne is recently averaging about a death a year according to recent news reports. I find her mother's comment at the end of the article ironic. The reason it was such a good fit was because this girl obviously loved her social life. She loved Duquesne alright. Not to be cruel, but, she literally loved Duquesne to death.

[Kate]

I am Meredith's roommate, the Kate who is mentioned above on this page. I am just wondering whose website this is? You don't know the feeling of googling DUQUESNE and finding post after post from strangers about your best friend. Please respond.

[tom]

I went to Duquesne too. The lambs were always out of control. It's no wonder they finally lost their charter!!! And it's no coincidence that this girl was a lamb.

[liz]

This is the message I sent to Kate:

====================
Kate, I am very sorry for your loss.

You visited my blog

http://lizditz.typepad.com/i_speak_of_dreams/2005/04/meredith_kennef.html

and wrote,

"I am Meredith's roommate, the Kate who is mentioned above on this page. I am just wondering whose website this is? You don't know the feeling of googling DUQUESNE and finding post after post from strangers about your best friend. Please respond."

I have been chronicling the change in alcohol use among college kids, leading to death, since last fall when an acquaintance's child died.

http://lizditz.typepad.com/i_speak_of_dreams/2004/12/alcohol_deaths_.html

http://lizditz.typepad.com/i_speak_of_dreams/2005/04/2005_alcohol_od.html

Why?

""There's no place that's actually keeping data on alcohol deaths"--Thomas Kunstman MD"

Meredith was the 8th underaged person to die of alcohol poisoning in 2005.

What is really sad is I know:
1. There are probably twice as many deaths -- if not more -- that aren't reported (I track them through Google news reports)

2. Meredith's death was completely preventable

3. There will be many more children who die needlessly.

[C.S.]

I was a Lamb in the early 90's. The "sisters" were very stuck-up and even mean to each other. Trying to intidate the pledges was standard protocol, and it even continued after initiation. It's a true shame what happened to this girl, for whatever reason. But I can't help thinking if this might have been another one of the kinder sororities on DU's campus, this might not have happened.

[DU]

To "C.S.", I too was a greek at DU and knew the Lambs well. After reading your post, I very much doubt you were a Lamb. Yes, the Lambs were very tough on their pledges...when they were pledges, not as sisters. And because they were so hard on their pledges is what made their sisterhood so strong. I'll call you out as phony.

[aya]

hi to all my sister and brothers from sigma lambda phi.pls contact me.my fb [email protected] im happy to hear from u all.SLP. im here in canada. tnx.

[Account Deleted]

SIGMA LAMBDA PHI is a sorority in Duquesne University? who is the founder of that sorority
Meredith Kenneff is a member of Lamb or a pledges? please answer my question!!!!

[Daryl]

Hey..Im a Member of Sigma Lambda Phi here at the Philippines..Hows The Lambs?