Editor's Note:
Our first reaction to freshman Marshall Mathew's death was sadness. As student-members of the DePauw community, we grieved alongside our friends, peers, family, teachers and administrators. We then asked how we could help this community, and the way we knew best was to ensure all members of this community - at home and abroad - were aware of this tragic incident.
Our hearts go out to the Mathew family and all members of the DePauw community who had the pleasure of knowing Marshall Mathew.
UPDATED 1:05 A.M. — President Brian Casey said in an email to the DePauw community that freshman Marshall Mathew was found dead off campus. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office notified the university Sunday.
The email said Mathew had "apparently taken his own life." No other information has been released.
Mathew, a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, came to DePauw from Paradise Valley, Ariz. and was a member of the Management Fellows Program.
In the email, Casey announced that counseling would be available in the Union Building Ballroom for a "couple of hours" after he sent the message at 12:13 a.m. Monday. Support services will also be available throughout the week.
Ken Owen, executive director of media relations, said that all he knew at this point was that Mathew was found off campus. Owen has worked at DePauw since 2001 and dealt with several student deaths.
"I would assume that the President's Office will be working with the family to see what their desires are and see what's appropriate and possible," Owen said about a memorial service for Mathew. "All we can do at these times is try to understand what the family wants."
UPDATED 2:15 A.M. --- Students, faculty and administrators gathered at Beta Theta Pi fraternity early Monday morning for a candle vigil honoring the life of Marshall Mathew.
"It's devastating," Casey said in an interview with The DePauw. "I think it's deeply saddening and utterly confusing."
The administration is now working with faculty to make sure students can complete all their final exams and projects on time. Vice President for Academic LIfe David Harvey will be contacting all professors to make sure they are mindful of the situation. He's hoping to hear soon from the Registrar about possible times when work can be made up.
UPDATED 6:00 P.M. --- Putnam County Sheriff's Office confirmed today with The DePauw that freshman Marshall Mathew was found dead Sunday south of campus.
A statement from the DePauw chapter of Beta Theta Pi fraternity also released today recognized the impact of Mathew's death on the community:
"Marshall was, and continues to be, a great friend and brother. His spirit of generosity and love for those around him was a guiding light in our fraternity. Even in the short time that we knew him, he touched our hearts. Marshall's impact on the campus was exemplified with the diversity of his friends that assembled on Sunday night. During this terrible tragedy, it is a true blessing to have the support of the DePauw community."
A memorial service for Mathew will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, May 17, from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. in Kresge auditorium. Tuesday night finals originally scheduled for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. will be delayed one hour.
Counseling is available through the university all week. The university is encouraging students to contact their professors if they are having difficulties completing assignments on time.