The memorial service for Melissa Huang '07 will be held Sunday in the University Chapel at 2 p.m.
"When students who are current members of the [undergraduate] body pass away, we always have a memorial service in the chapel to commemorate their lives and celebrate their contribution," said Kathleen Deignan, dean of undergraduate students. She estimated there have been eight to 10 such occasions in the past 20 years.
Members of Huang's family are expected to be present. The service will begin with a hymn and be followed by several readings, Dean of Religious Life Thomas Breidenthal said.
Much of the input in the planning of the service came from people close to Huang from Wilson College and the chemical engineering department, he added.
"[Melissa] knew a lot of people there and a lot of people knew her. The service reflects the desires of those communities of people and those of her parents," Breidenthal said.
The first reading is taken from the Old Testament and will be given by Huang's friend Boris Russ '06. The second reading is from a Buddhist text and will be given by Dana Graef '05. Both Russ and Graef are residential community advisers (RCA) in Wilson College.
The readings will be followed by remembrance speeches by three of Huang's close friends: Brian Muegge '05, Lennox Caleb '07 and chemical engineering professor Pablo Debenedetti.
Muegge is an RCA in Wilson College and Caleb is a chemical engineering student.
In addition to the readings, there will be a wide variety of musical selections performed, ranging from classical to blues. Huang's father will also speak.
"During the procession out, one of the four chapel kites representing the four elements will be flown as an ongoing symbol of life," Breidenthal said. A reception in Murray-Dodge will follow the service.
The University flag over East Pyne will be flown at half-mast over the weekend. The flag was also flown at half-mast at the time of Huang's death, said Ann Halliday, special assistant to the president.
Either flowers or a wreath of ivy will be sent to the memorial service in the Chapel on behalf of the president and trustees, she added.
"These are the ways that Princeton, as an institution, recognizes and pays tribute to those among its campus community who pass away," Halliday said.
Huang was a chemical engineering student and a member of Wilson College. She was found in her dorm room on Sunday, Sept. 5, after dying from what the Mercer County Medical Examiner's Office determined to be cyanide ingestion. Wilson College has. The Huang family will help to determine how to distribute the contributions.
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