Throughout the day Monday, memories of University of Iowa freshman Kamil Jackowski continued to circulate across social media within the UI and Iowa City community.
In addition to a viral GoFundMe page, as well as an online petition to retire Jackowski’s high school football jersey number, a Facebook event for tonight has also be shared multiple times.
Tonight at 7 p.m., an organized memorial and prayer service will take place at the Newman Catholic Student Center, 104 E. Jefferson St. According to the ministry’s website, the event is meant for friends to grieve, heal, share stories, and celebrate the life of Jackowski.
Members of UI’s Sigma Chi chapter have been updating their cover photo to an image of Jackowski, along with the fraternity’s emblem. Jackowski was a member of the fraternity.
It was confirmed Jackowski died Sunday morning at Sigma Chi’s formal at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.
According to a press release from the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 7:00 am on April 30, deputies and fire department and ambulance personnel were called to a motel unit at Camden on the Lake, Lake Ozark, Missouri. Jackowski was found unresponsive in his motel room. He was transported to Lake Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy was scheduled in Springfield, Missouri on Monday.
Following, the Interfraternal Council and Panhellenic Council released a statement together that announced an immediate and permanent ban on all out-of-state formals.
In addition, there is a temporary ban on greek-sponsored events that include alcohol.
“It is more evident now than ever that we must move beyond discussion and into action — the future of our community depends on it,” the statement reads.
Jackowski’s date to the formal, Monica Moore, said she knew him since they were both in middle school. The two have dated on and off ever since.
“No words could ever come close to describe what an amazing and genuine person he truly was,” Moore said over Facebook Messenger. “No one will ever be able to replace the unconditional love he provided me. He lit up every room he walked in with that beautiful smile of his.”
On Monday, the UI Sigma Chi chapter released a statement to The Daily Iowan about the death of their fraternity member.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and heartbreaking loss of our friend and brother, Kamil Jackowski, who passed away this past Sunday morning. Kamil was an intelligent, kind, caring and loyal friend who will be greatly missed.
We are fully cooperating with the officials from both the University of Iowa and our international fraternity headquarters as they are investigating this tragic accident to better understand the events that led up to and the cause of Kamil’s passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Jackowski family and all that knew Kamil during this very difficult time.”
Jackowski worked at the Iowa Chop House, 223 E Washington St, according to a Facebook post they shared Monday.
Their statement said, “Today, we were saddened to hear of the death of one of our employees, Kamil Jackowski. On behalf of Iowa Chop House, I want to express our condolences to their family. Our grief at this time is little compared to what his family must be feeling and our hearts and prayers go out to them. Kamil, you will always be a part of our team. – Founder John B. Burchert”
Iowa Chop House also attached a personalized image to a post.
A friend from home, Kurt Kelly, who sometimes visited Jackowski at the UI this past year, said Jackowski always had a “big smile on his face.”
“He was just an all around good person and impacted the lives of many,” Kelly said in a Twitter message. “He will be missed and loved dearly. I never saw him in a bad mood.”
The service today will be led by Father Jeff Belger.
An additional candlelight service will be held for Jackowski and UI freshman Sean Wu, who died on April 8 after being found unresponsive in Daum Residence Hall. The service, hosted by UI Fraternity and Sorority Life, will be held May 3 at 10:00 p.m. at the Iowa Memorial Union.
A UI counseling representative will also be available for students and administrators are encouraging students to reach out if they need support.