More than 100 members of Theta Chi somberly wore badges and black ribbons around campus Tuesday in memory of their friend and fraternity brother Jeffrey Gleason.
Gleason's body was discovered early Monday morning near Sun Angel Stadium. Authorities believe he died after falling from the nearly four-story high bleachers. Though the investigation is still underway, it appears that Gleason's death was a suicide, authorities said.
The news of Gleason's death Monday came as a shock to many of the fraternity members.
"Everyone loved him," said Theta Chi President Eric Matheny. "He had so many friends."
Matheny said he got to know Gleason when he was pledging last year and Matheny instantly accepted him into the group.
"We talked about life and school," Matheny said. "He knew exactly what he wanted out of life."
Gleason was a 20-year-old pre-business sophomore. Matheny said he thinks Gleason was on his way to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
"He didn't dwell on things. He was a very dynamic individual," Matheny said. "He really was someone who lived by the phrase 'failure is not an option.'"
Mike Leingang, a Theta Chi fraternity brother and student government president, said he worked with Gleason during his campaign last year.
"He epitomized everything Theta Chi stands for," Leingang said. "He would give a helping hand to whomever needed it."
Leingang said Gleason helped him by handing out campaign flyers and putting up signs.
"He was a real stand-up kid and very intelligent," Leingang said.
Friends and brothers struggled to speak of Gleason in the past tense.
"I don't understand it," said Danny Saucedo, an interdisciplinary studies senior. "From what I saw, it wasn't that he was lacking anything ... you would have never seen it coming from him."
Saucedo said he was close to Gleason and added that there were "no signs" that he had any problems.
Gleason was a member of his high school swim team, but was never worried about his physique, so friends said they would not have expected him to be at the track stadium Monday morning.
Friends said that although he was soft-spoken, they thought of him as someone who loved unwinding and being with his friends.
"He was more of a listener, but he could really listen to you and give you positive feedback," Matheny said. "That was one of his best qualities."
Theta Chi member and economics junior Erik Abramowitz recalled Gleason's dedication while working poolside at a private high school over the summer, where he would do whatever he could to help out.
"It would be hot as hell and he would be to work 10 minutes before he had to be there," Abramowitz said.
Matheny and Abramowitz said Gleason always had his house open to friends who wanted to play pool or cards.
"We will miss Jeff as a good friend and a loyal brother," Matheny said. "It has truly been a blessing to have Jeff in our lives."
Reach the reporter at benjamin.honingford@asu.edu.
| Suicide Help |
| Though police have not confirmed that Jeffrey Gleason's death was a suicide, it is still an issue among college students. If you know anyone who is contemplating suicide, please use the information below. |
| If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call: |
| (480) 784-1514 -- EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center |
| (480) 784-1500 -- Suicide/Crisis Hotline (Local) |
| (800) SUICIDE -- Hope Line Suicide Hotline (National) |
| (866) 205-5229 -- Toll-Free Crisis Hotline (Arizona) |
| ASU also offers counseling on campus. To make an appointment call: (480) 965-6146. |
| Source: Riki Cleveland |
