A Ball State freshman died off campus Saturday morning.
Police have not released the cause of death.
Elija Swager lived in the Studebaker West Complex, and the university sent an email to other residents on his floor informing them of Swager’s death.
Swager is originally from Angola, a town in northeastern Indiana.
Amanda Lovell, a freshman zoology major, went to high school with Swager and said he was a big brother to everyone.
She said what she will always remember is his ability to light up a room with a smile. He would make time to stop and talk to people, even if he didn’t know them.
“He was always the guy you could go to that would bring people’s spirits up,” she said.
Lovell said along with his positivity, Swager was caring and kind.
“I want people to know that he was the most caring person you could ever meet,” she said.
Tony Proudfoot, a university spokesperson, said the university will work with Swager’s family to “ease the situation in the manner that is of most help to them.”
“The loss of someone so young from our community is deeply saddening,” he said. “The sympathies of the Ball State community are with Elija’s family and friends”
Proudfoot said the university will follow, rather than lead, if students wish to hold a memorial for Swager.
The university is encouraging students, feeling they need to talk to someone, to contact the university counseling center at 765-285-1736.
A memorial page encourages friends and family to post their memories and photographs of Swager at facebook.com/swager65.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.
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