Duke Alumna Among Dead at Chicago Party
Katie Sheriff, Class of 2001, was a political science major, Kappa Kappa Gamma member
Duke alumna Katherine "Katie" Sheriff was among the 13 people killed after a porch collapsed in Chicago early Sunday.
Sheriff, 23, majored in political science while at Duke. She started working in Chicago after receiving her bachelor of arts degree in 2001. She was the director of marketing at Lee Lumber Company in Chicago.
Chris Gelpi, an associate professor of political science, had Sheriff as a student in his "War and Peace" class. "I remember Katie very well as a bright and energetic student who worked hard. She was great to have in class because she participated so frequently in our discussions.
"But she will always have my gratitude and admiration for one particular incident that occured near the end of the course. I had scheduled one review session for an exam when at the end of one lecture leading up to the exam a number of the students began pleading for a second review session. I was reluctant to do so because I did not think many students would attend a second session, but after continued overtures by the students, I agreed to schedule a second review session. After all of the commotion the students raised, however, when the appointed time came, Katie was the only one who actually showed up for the second review session. We had a great conversation about the exam, the course, her career at Duke, and the structure of higher education. Instead of feeling that I wasted an afternoon, that review session became just the kind of discussion that makes teaching at Duke so enjoyable."
While at Duke, Sheriff was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. On Monday, the sorority announced it will accept donations in her memory. Donations may be sent to Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation (on behalf of Katie Sheriff) P.O. Box 38, Columbus, Ohio 43216-0038.
A funeral for Sheriff is scheduled for noon Thursday at St. Jude Church, 2901 W. 6th St., in Erie, Pa., where she attended high school. Visitation will be at the Burton Funeral Home, 602 W. 10th St.,, Erie, from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, and at 11:15 a.m. Thursday.
Chicago Tribune story on accident.