News from PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
Office of Communications
22 Chambers St.
Princeton, New Jersey 08542
Telephone 609-258-3601; Fax 609-258-1301
For immediate release: Sept. 6, 2004
Media contact: Patricia Allen, (609) 258-6108, pallen@princeton.edu
Deceased sophomore identified, Sept. 6
PRINCETON, N.J.-- A sophomore who was found deceased in her dorm room bed yesterday afternoon has been identified as Melissa M. Huang of Mechanicsburg, Pa. She was 19. Huang was found at 1:28 p.m. yesterday by a University custodian and her parents, who had arranged to meet their daughter on campus. The cause of death remains unknown, however police officials have ruled out criminal activity. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday, Sept. 6, by the Mercer County Medical Examiner's Office.
Huang came to Princeton from Cumberland Valley High School, where she graduated with honors in 2003. There, she participated in cross country and track and field, including the successful 4x800 relay team.
At Princeton, Huang was a student in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. She spent this summer working on a chemical engineering research project with Professor Jeffrey Carbeck, director of the Program in Engineering Biology and Ilhan Aksay, professor of chemical engineering and head of the Ceramic Materials Laboratory. She was a resident of Wilson College.
Survivors include her parents, Leon Keng-Lock Huang and Sauling Huang; a brother, Kevin, and a sister, Alina, all of Mechanicsburg, Pa.
After the tragic discovery, President Shirley M. Tilghman and other University officials met with Huang’s parents and Wilson College students to offer comfort, counseling and guidance. University Health Services is open 24 hours and students may also call the Counseling and Psychological Services team at (609) 258-3285.
Funeral arrangements are pending. A memorial service will be held on the
Princeton campus at a later date.