University Mourns Tragic Loss

It is with great sadness that DeSales University shares news that four community members were involved in a devastating car accident that occurred on Lanark Road in Upper Saucon Township Saturday evening, March 6. 

Tragically, two alumni and a current student died at the scene. They are:

• Nicholas White, a 2019 DeSales graduate and former baseball player
• Emily Kattner, a 2019 DeSales graduate
• Sean Hanczaryk, a senior sport and exercise physiology major and baseball player

Another student remains hospitalized in serious condition. 

“On behalf of the entire DeSales University community, I share our deepest condolences and prayers for the family and friends of the lives we lost,“ said University President Father James Greenfield, O.S.F.S. “We also pray for a full recovery for our student who remains hospitalized in critical condition.” 

DeSales University is offering counseling and campus ministry to support students through this difficult time.

As the DeSales University Community continues to mourn, the campus community is invited to the following events to help us to remember and celebrate their lives and to pray in thanksgiving for sharing in the joy they brought to us and to ask God for consolation and peace. 

Prayer Service
Connelly Chapel
Tuesday, March 9, 7:30 PM
Using the Liturgy of the Vigil for the Deceased before the Blessed Sacrament,
the community will gather in prayer for the repose of the souls of Sean, Emily, and Nick
and the consolation of their families.
 
Candlelight Vigil Service
Weiland Baseball Stadium
Wednesday, March 10, 8:00 PM
Along with the University Baseball Team, the community with gather for a 
celebration of light and prayer to mark the lives of Sean, Emily, and Nick.
 
Celebration of Life and Memory
DeSales University Center
Thursday, March 11, 8:00 PM
Please submit any pictures or images you have of Sean, Emily, or Nick 
to the Center for Faith and Justice by Wednesday, 4:00 PM, for a digital photo collage.  
Memory stations will be available to write memories to be sent to Sean’s, Emily’s, and Nick’s families. At 8:30 PM, we will welcome friends to speak brief recollections of their friends.
 
As we participate in these events, we continue to pray for the healing of Brandon DiChiacchio, who was seriously injured in the car accident that took the lives of Sean, Emily, and Nick.

MEDIA CONTACT: Carolyn Steigleman, AVP of Marketing & Communications, 610-220-2128 or carolyn.steigleman@desales.edu.