Aside from noticing his name at the bottom of a political cartoon in the University Daily Kansan, many people didn’t know that Connor Meigs, a hockey player for the University of Kansas’ club team, was an accomplished artist. He won numerous awards throughout his 19 years, many of which he kept private.

Connor and his twin brother, Doug, a student at the University of Missouri, were driving to their grandmother’s house on Dec. 20 to play board games with their family when their car slid on black ice into a pickup truck just miles from their home.

Both brothers were brought to the hospital. Doug was injured but released the next day. Connor did not have any broken bones, but he sustained head injuries.

The Omaha, Neb., sophomore was first recognized when he won the bronze award in the first grade at an international art competition in Japan through the Pentel Corporation. From that point on, he continued to excel in many aspects of art such as drawing, painting and sculpture.

“He was a very creative artist,” said his mother, Linda Meigs. “He was full of potential and promise.”

John Hachmeister, professor of art, said it was the deep feeling that Meigs put in his work and his willingness to help students that set him apart from the rest.

“He is already deeply missed,” Hachmeister said. “Not just by faculty, but by the students as well.”

He was also an avid reader. He read about environmental art and architecture. He left behind numerous notebooks filled with his thoughts about art.

“There was a literary side to him that I never knew,” his mother said.

In his death, Meigs saved seven others’ lives. Meigs was an organ donor and donated both of his kidneys, his liver, pancreas, heart valves, tissue recovery, long bone and cornea.

Linda Meigs said her son’s art would be displayed at the Florence Mill this summer from June 1 through Aug. 31. The exhibit will be open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. at 9102 N. 30th St. in Omaha, Neb.

The historical mill, which Meigs helped restore since he was 14, will be named the Connor Meigs Memorial Gallery.

Meigs is survived by his father, John Meigs; mother, Linda Meigs; twin brother, Doug Meigs; brother, Brandon Meigs of Chicago; and sister Katherine Meigs of Tempe, Ariz.

A service and celebration of his life was held in his honor on Dec. 29 at Central Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Neb.