Grief has swept the FSC campus again with the recent, tragic death of Michael Szwed.

Szwed was a senior advertising major of Naples, Florida, and a brother of Sigma Chi fraternity.

Szwed spent Saturday morning at Bid Day and enjoying the company of what will soon be their new brotherhood. Parker Willis, the current president of Sigma Chi, said, "It was wonderful to be there."

Sigma Chi is known for their Bid Day slip and slide, however it is believed that Szwed may have taken a hard fall and injured himself on it, according to news reports. After stating that he did not feel well, he went back to his apartment to lie down, but was found unresponsive later that evening.

According to the Polk Medical Examiner, Szwed died from a lacerated spleen and police are yet to determine how he gained that injury.

A community gathering was held Jan. 27 for students, faculty, and staff at the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel. It was a time for everyone there to be together and to let each other know that they will eventually be able to work through their pain together. Dean Matt Thompson encouraged students to, "Walk around and share how much we love Mike and each other. We are here to grieve as a community and grieve together."

The service was powerful for those in attendance as all of the students made their way around the room consoling each other by offering a loving embrace and kind words.

Sorority women have placed flowers outside of the Sigma Chi fraternity house by where Szwed spent much of his time and served as former vice-president.

FSC's Counseling Center, Student Life Office, and Chaplain Tim Wright were some of the first to offer support to any students that need to work through the loss and they will continue to be available in the future.

President Anne Kerr stated, "It's devastating to lose Mike and it's been difficult for all of us to cope again so soon after losing Meghan [Kelly]. I am so inspired by the strength of the students and the unity of this community. This is such a special
community. We will go on collectively and somehow together we will work through our loss."

A visitation and funeral were held Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 29-30 in Szwed's hometown of Naples. Both of these services were well attended.

Campus memorial services are still in the planning stages and Florida Southern staff are working cooperatively with the brothers of Sigma Chi. Anyone who has tasteful pictures of Szwed that would like for them to be considered for inclusion in a memorial slideshow at the Feb. 4