Junior Jessica Anastasia Louise Campbell of St. Louis died Thursday, March 10, 2005, after an extended illness. She was 20.
She was majoring in Spanish in Arts & Sciences.
Campbell was born Aug. 31, 1984. After graduating from Metro Academic and Classical High School in St. Louis, she received an academic scholarship to attend WUSTL.
She was a member of Congress of the South 40 and participated in campus worship services. She aspired to be a patent attorney with an emphasis on international law.
“I was so sad to hear of Jessica’s death,” said Stephanie Kirk, Ph.D., assistant professor of Romance languages and literatures in Arts & Sciences. “Jessica was an exceptional student and a very special person. Her academic abilities as a Spanish major were exemplary — her written work was sophisticated and her observations in class were astute and original. She was mature and disciplined in her approach to her work and class interactions and was intellectually curious and full of initiative.
“Jessica was a pleasure to have as a student. She was friendly, funny, and warm — respectful of both her contemporaries and her instructor. I think her passing is a terrible loss to the University community — she represented everything we want our students to be.”
Miriam Calvo, teaching assistant in Spanish, said, “We got to develop a friendship after class hours, and she told me about her dream of going to Spain, my homeland, to study for one year. I remember her excitement and her fears, and her plans of becoming a teacher for Teach for America.
“It’s so heart-wrenching to learn that all her plans have been cut short.”
“Jessica’s passing has been shocking news for me,” said Maria F. Lander, Ph.D., assistant professor of Romance languages and literatures. “I knew Jessica was ill, but last time I saw her, at the beginning of this spring semester, she looked wonderful, happy, relaxed and ready to take on the new semester.
“She never used her illness as an excuse for late work or for missing classes. Jessica loved Hispanic culture and really wanted to master the language. She was easygoing, nice and had a beautiful smile.”
Tabea Alexa Linhard, Ph.D., assistant professor of Romance languages and literatures, said, “It was just a joy having Jessica in class. Whenever I ran into her on campus, she always had a big smile on her face, she was always friendly and always polite. I will miss her.”
Campbell is survived by her parents, Jesse Louis and Mary Ann Campbell; sisters, Sonya Campbell-Johnson and Felicia Campbell-Sullivan, administrative assistant in the School of Engineering & Applied Science; and brother, Marcus McDuffey.
A funeral was held March 13.