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March 01, 2004
Pledge Brother Enters Chapter Eternal
Christopher Jagodzinski
April 12, 1985 - February 25, 2004
Tragedy struck the Iota Sigma chapter of Sigma Chi several days before Spring Break, once again. Having emerged from Brother Nate Osterbur's untimely death in February of 2003 with a chapter strengthened through grief and mourning, the strong arms of brotherhood were tested again with the death of Spring Pledge Class member Christopher Jagodzinski.
On February 21st, the pledge class had been preparing for their pledge retreat at the Indiana State Dunes when news reached the chapter that Chris' roommate had found him unconscious on his dorm room floor. Chris was taken by ambulance to Porter Memorial Hospital several blocks from campus. Early predictions were that Chris had suffered a stroke, but the reasons why were not known.
Magister Jon Ackerman, cancelled the retreat and directed the class to the hospital. Brothers and pledges spent several hours outside the hospital awaiting word on Chris' condition. Chris' mother, accompanied by Pastor Cunningham from the University Chapel, informed the chapter that Chris had suffered a stroke. All feeling was lost from the right side of his body and he could not speak. Chris was to be airlifted to St. Luke's Hospital in Milwaukee so that he would be closer to home and at a facility more suited to fulfilling Chris' needs.
On Sunday, February 22nd, during the weekly Chapter Meeting, the family called to inform us that Chris' condition had improved with all of his feeling returning and small amounts of speech beginning. The chapter left feeling very uplifted by the news.
A memorial service for Nate Osterbur took place that evening in the Chapel of the Resurrection. The inspirational words from Brother Phil Morris, Pastor Cunningham and Nate's parents concerning the past year without Nate gave the chapter great strength to deal with the current adversity. The words of encouragement and support from all about Chris' stroke gave hope for the uncertain future ahead.
Monday passed with no word on Chris' condition, therefore it was felt that no news is good news. The chapter breathed another sigh of relief, continuing to pray for a positive outcome and a reunited pledge class.
Tuesday afternoon, the Chapter was informed that Chris had suffered another stroke in the early hours of the morning. All his progress had been erased and he was placed on life support shortly thereafter. The doctors had finally determined that Chris was suffering from a congenital defect in the arteries and veins in his brain.
His veins, being too thin to supply his brain with blood, caused Chris to suffer strokes at a rate that his body could no longer tolerate. In afternoon of Wednesday, February 25th, Christopher left us and entered his place in the Chapter Eternal. Chris' mother informed us of his passing and that she was currently authorizing Chris' organs to be used in transplants so that others may survive their ailments. That afternoon, Pastor Cunningham, showing his unending support for our Chapter and for the Campus Community, held a prayer service in the chapel.
Chris' funeral was held on Sunday, February 29th in Muskego, Wisconsin. Chris was buried with his pledge pin. He was also buried with his Big Brother Rishab Malhotra's Sigma Chi Badge and Brotherhood Ring.
The chapter wishes to thank all of the Greek organizations, Jennifer Jones-Hall, Pastor Cunningham, Iota Sigma Alumni and all of the students at Valparaiso University for their support during this time. Even a Webmaster as instilled with a lack of brevity as this one cannot express in words how much all of your support emotionally and spiritually means to this chapter.
Please keep Christopher's family & friends, the student community and the chapter in your hearts and prayers during these coming months as we once again wrestle with the fragility of life and mourn yet another great loss.