Severe asthma attack claims life of freshman Shanta Annan, 18
BY ELAINE C. RAY
Shanta Annan, an 18-year-old freshman, died at Stanford Hospital Nov. 19 of cardiac arrest following a severe asthma attack.
A native of Baltimore, whose mother and father are from Antigua and Ghana, respectively, Annan ensconced herself quickly and fully in the campus community. She was involved with the Caribbean Students Association, the Stanford Gospel Choir, the Stanford Democrats, the Pre-Law Society, the Stanford Steppers and Vessels of Light.
Annan's enthusiasm was evident to her peers as well as her professors. Drama Professor Harry Elam recalled that even in a large Introduction to the Humanities class called The Art of Survival, which he co-taught with his wife, Michele Elam, a visiting associate professor in the Department of English, Annan stood out among the approximately 135 students.
"The very first day of lecture, Shanta raised her hand and participated in the discussion, bringing a fresh and insightful perspective to the readings," Elam said. "She continued to be a frequent participant, clearly engaged in the class. In her enthusiasm and spirit, Shanta demonstrated that 'intellectual vitality' that Stanford looks for in its admission process."
Vera Grant, academic research and program officer in African and African American Studies, echoed those sentiments. "She told me in our first meeting of her deep interest in politics, and so her decision to join the AAAS lecture series 'This Moment in Black Politics.' I read her response papers to each lecture and have to say her papers far outshine the efforts of other students in her engaged and concise commentary. Shanta also volunteered when others hesitated in the lecturer interview process, helping us in all the details of a successful series. It was a pleasure to have her in the class, and we are saddened and diminished by her sudden absence."
It was at that series' Nov. 19 lecture, where John Rickford, professor of linguistics and director of the Program in African and African American Studies, saw Annan just hours before she died.
"I will note, with a mixture of pride and chagrin, that attending the noon lecture in this class last Friday was the last formal intellectual activity Shanta did at Stanford—indeed, on this earth," Rickford told friends and family members who gathered for a memorial service held in Tresidder Union Nov. 23. "I don't think any of us fully understands why God would take this wonderful scholar, child and friend from us at a time when she was so full of promise and possibility. But in time it will be revealed. … Perhaps one of you, inspired by her memory, will develop a better vaccine for allergies and asthma than anything presently existing or imagined. But the connection may not be so direct.
"Her example may be enough to keep one of you in school when you want to quit, to make you turn or return to God, to lead you to service in Ghana or Baltimore or the Caribbean."
The memorial service also included remarks and reflections from Peter Henry, who with his wife, Lisa Nelson, is a resident fellow in Ujamaa, where Annan lived; the Rev. Scotty McLennan, dean for religious life; and Jan Barker-Alexander, director of the Black Community Services Center. The service also included musical tributes by Talisman and the Stanford Gospel Choir.
Annan is survived by her parents, Albert and Mary Ann, and two brothers, Albert Jr. and Joshua, all of Baltimore. A funeral will be held in Baltimore on Dec. 5, with the burial on Dec. 6. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, which can be contacted at (410) 655-0015. Condolences may be sent to Annan's parents' home at 75 Cedar Chip Court, Baltimore, MD 21234.