Media Credit: Photo courtesy of Kara Robbins Kia Rozier (left) and Kara Robbins, both A&S ´04, and Jeff Marusak, BC ´03, pose for a photo before a performance.

Boston College senior Kia Rozier, 21, died at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton on Wednesday from sudden pulmonary complications. Rozier, a music major originally from Lakeville, NJ, was active in the BC Symphony Orchestra and the BC Chamber Music Society. She had planned to perform a senior recital in the spring.

Although Rozier, A&S '04, had been receiving medical attention over the summer in New Jersey and had been diagnosed with pneumonia, her death came as a "total surprise," according to Dr. Thomas Nary, director of University Health Services. Rozier checked herself into the BC Infirmary on Tuesday evening, at which point Nary immediately transferred her to St. Elizabeth's after reviewing her condition.

Within hours of Rozier's admittance, friends, roommates, and BC faculty had convened in the hospital's waiting room. Nary had arrived on the scene as well and worked as a "liaison" between doctors and those in the waiting room, according to Rozier's roommate Sara Birnbaum, A&S '04.

"This was an acute and unexpected event," said Nary. "But there is nothing any one has found to suggest that this is something infectious."

"There is no precise diagnosis on her death," said Nary, who has downplayed rumors connecting Rozier's death to contagious or air-borne illnesses, such as Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Also in attendance at the hospital were three Jesuit priests representing BC Campus Ministry. Although Rozier was not religious, her father and mother, Sterling and Bernetta Rozier, were said to have appreciated the department's help in leading a nondenominational prayer for Rozier just after her death.

"We just came together in a circle and shared stories," said Rev. Donald MacMillan, SJ, of Campus Ministry, who had been contacted by the mother of one of Rozier's roommates. "She really needed my support, and I was glad to offer what help I could, even if it was only a shoulder to cry on."

Friends and roommates also appreciated Campus Ministry's help in passing on information obtained from medical staff. "They were incredibly open and honest with us about what was going on, which was really important to us," said Caroline Kita, A&S '04.

Continued...

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