On October 18th, 2024, the Kalamazoo College community will gather at Stetson Chapel to remember Maggie Wardle, a student whose life was tragically taken in 1999 due to intimate partner violence. Maggie’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of how serious and dangerous domestic violence can be, especially when it intersects with gun violence.
Maggie was only 19 when she was killed by her ex-boyfriend in a murder-suicide on campus. Her death sent shockwaves through the school community, and every year, the community honors her memory during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This isn’t just about looking back on what happened, but about using her story to push for change and raise awareness about intimate partner violence, something that affects millions of people.
Maggie’s memorial is more than just a tribute—it’s a call to action. Maggie’s parents, Rick and Martha Omilian, have dedicated themselves to advocacy in her name, focusing on preventing gun violence in domestic abuse cases. Their work has been crucial in pushing for legislative changes to disarm abusers
and protect future victims.
We invite you to join us at the chapel to honor Maggie’s life, reflect on the importance of raising awareness, and continue the fight to stop domestic violence. Together, we can remember Maggie while also making sure her story is part of the change we need to see.

For more information about Maggie and the work her parent’s have done, check out Remembering Maggie.