Cornell undergraduate student dies Dec. 3

An undergraduate student at Cornell University died of an undetermined illness at Cayuga Medical Center Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Kianweng (Kenny) Chong, 21, a citizen of Malaysia, was pronounced dead at Cayuga Medical Center at 8:14 p.m., after being taken there by ambulance from Cornell's Gannett Health Center.

Though the exact cause of death is still undetermined, Janet Corson-Rikert, M.D., director of University Health Services at Gannett, said that there is no evidence of meningococcal disease or any public health issue involved in this case. An autopsy will be performed, she said.

Chong enrolled in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning at the beginning of the fall 1997 semester and resided on campus. He was a third-year student in the college's professional bachelor of architecture program.

Jerry D. Wilcox, director of the international students and scholars office, said Chong's family resides in Malaysia.

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