Prairie View A&M University is grieving the loss of freshman management major Tanika Owens who passed away Monday evening.
“Tanika was a talented student and the entire University is saddened to hear of her untimely passing,” said PVAMU President George C. Wright in a statement on the school’s Web site.
The 19-year-old Katy native was rushed to a local hospital around 2 p.m. Monday evening after she collapsed during class. While attending Prairie View, Owens was an employee at Sodexo Dining Services during fall 2010.
Sodexo General Manager Gabe Lewis said, “She was a very kind, sweet-hearted hard worker. She was really dedicated to her education as well.”
Prior to working at Sodexo, Owens worked at a nearby Sonic in Waller County.Many remembered Owens for being a gifted hair stylist.
Freshman business marketing major Noelle Campbell said, “She wanted to open her own hair salon and she was already a licensed cosmetologist.”
Residents and community assistants in University College’s building 40, Owens’ on-campus residence, held a prayer for her while she was in ICU.