Remembering Jenna Regalado

The Lewis & Clark community mourns the passing of Jenna Regalado, a first-year student from Phoenix, Arizona who died on Aug. 28. Regalado, a member of the LC softball team, passed away off-campus on the first day of New Student Orientation.

Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students Robin Holmes-Sullivan initially sent the email informing the student body of Regalado’s passing. In a statement to The Pioneer Log, she spoke on the impact felt by the LC community at this loss.

“It is always heartbreaking for us to lose a student,” Holmes-Sullivan said via email. “Although Jenna had only recently joined our campus, she was still a part of our community.”

Interim Director of Physical Education and Athletics and Head Athletic Trainer Mark Pietrok also emphasized Regalado’s place in the LC community as a member of the softball team.

“We were deeply saddened to learn of Jenna’s passing,” Pietrok said via email. “She was a member of our Pioneer family and our softball program, and the Athletic Department will miss her greatly.”

Dean of Spiritual Life Mark Duntley further expressed sympathy for Regalado’s family and those who have been impacted by her passing.

“What I would say is that it is always a tragic loss when someone in our community dies, and I was deeply saddened to learn of her death,” Duntley said via email. “As a parent myself of two young-adult daughters in their 20s, I can only imagine the grief and emotional pain Jenna’s parents are experiencing, and my heart goes out to them in particular. But, I also know that others in our own community were deeply impacted by Jenna’s death, and I hope that all of us will do what we can to ease their loss and support them in their grief.”

A gathering was held in the Agnes Flanagan Chapel on Sept. 5 in Regalado’s honor, organized by the Office of Spiritual Life. Duntley described the events of the gathering.

“There were candles to light, along with cards available to write a note to Jenna’s parents, or just to express one’s feelings,” Duntley said. “It was a quiet space for reflection, meditation and prayer. And while no formal program took place, it was clear from the response that many students, staff, and faculty felt this was an important thing to do.”

Holmes-Sullivan commented on the touching student response at the gathering. 

“I am so moved by how empathetic and caring our students are,” Holmes-Sullivan said. “Our community really cares.”

Students are encouraged to reach out to the Counseling Service for support during this difficult time, as well as Duntley and Ombudsperson Valerie White. Additionally, an off-campus resource is the Grief Recovery Helpline, a hotline dedicated to people moving through grief. They can be contacted at 1-800-445-4808.

Pietrok expressed the Athletic Department’s future intent to honor Regalado.

“At this time we are respecting the families wish for privacy but will work with them when the time is right to honor Jenna’s memory,” Pietrok said.