Editor’s note: This story was revised for accuracy at 9:14 a.m. Jan. 20.
University efforts to give support to students following the death of 20-year-old junior nursing major Amanda Bebout included counselors visiting classmates and fellow sorority members.
A university counselor met with Bebout’s classmates in a Tuesday morning nursing class, a Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences official said.
Marinda Allender, director of undergraduate nursing programs, said the counselor was in the class to help students cope with the death of their classmate.
“We encouraged the students to talk about Amanda, their memories of her, and we offered our services and the counseling center,” Allender said.
Diane Hawley, clinical assistant professor, said that in addition to the resources available at the Counseling, Testing and Mental Health Center, faculty in the nursing school were also an option for students wishing to speak about Bebout’s death.
“Part of nursing is helping patients and families through the death and dying process,” Hawley said. “We are educated in helping people with grief, and so there’s a certain amount of helpfulness that we as a faculty can be to each other and to the students.”
The Rev. Jeremy Albers, associate chaplain, said the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life would also offer counseling services for students.
“We have campus ministers and associate chaplains and chaplains here that are available to see people if they have questions regarding faith or how to process their feelings during this time of grief and questioning,” Albers said.
The office has tentatively scheduled a memorial service for 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Robert Carr Chapel, Albers said.
Linda Wolszon, director of the Counseling, Testing and Mental Health Center, wrote in an e-mail that the center can help students coping with loss. Center staff can meet with individuals as well as small or large groups in their residence hall or chapter house, she wrote. Staff can meet with students, or students may just walk in or call, she wrote.
Nina Dulacki, director of marketing and communications for Gamma Phi Beta International Sorority, of which Bebout was a member, said the sorority was saddened by Bebout’s death and that it was grateful for the support the university has provided to the TCU chapter members, including counseling. She said Gamma Phi Beta was also providing support to the chapter, but she declined to specify.
“How we help the girls cope is not for public consumption,” Dulacki said.
Police found Bebout’s body Monday night after her roommate called police to report that she had found Bebout unresponsive at her residence on Lubbock Avenue, a few blocks away from campus, according to police. Preliminary findings indicate that there was no foul play, police said.