Death of Jessica Dettmann

We are saddened to inform the campus that one of our own graduate students, Jessica Dettmann, tragically died on Thursday, June 11, 2020, in California after suffering a cardiac arrest and related complications connected with a long-term illness. Jessica was an organ donor and, in her death, that personal commitment led to a better life for others. Jessica’s father confirmed these details early this week.

Jessica was in the dissertation stage for a PhD in counseling psychology, after having completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2005 and a master’s in community counseling in 2008, both from Andrews University. During her undergraduate years Jessica served as a dedicated student leader of our Benton Harbor Street Ministries and also spent time working with the 1,000 Missionary Movement in Africa.

Jessica’s father Ron, who recently retired as the welding foreman at Plant Services, and her mother Laura live in Coloma, Michigan. Jessica has three siblings including her sister Sarah who received a BSN from Andrews University this past May and lives in Saint Joseph.

We invite you to offer prayers and love for the Dettmann family—as well as for Jessica’s classmates, faculty and friends here at Andrews as they join with her family in facing this time of incredible pain and unexpected loss.

For faculty, staff and students who would like to talk to someone here in our Andrews University community about this sad news, we encourage you to reach out to our Campus Ministries team via text message at 269-281-4383 and/or our Counseling & Testing Center at 269-471-3470.

We’ll share additional details on a formal memorial service for Jessica when they are available.

Thank you again for your fervent prayers and heartfelt concern for all who know and love Jessica and now mourn her death. You are invited to share memories and condolences with the family below; please include your name with your comments.