Campus community responds to loss of beloved student
“His gift was his presence, his time,” said Maurice Duncan in an interview Wednesday night, preluding the vigil held for late student, Jeremiah Duncan. Members of USC Aiken appeared to agree in numerous forms.
Jeremiah Duncan, 20-year-old sophomore and communication major was declared the victim of a homicide early Tuesday morning, Feb. 4, when he was found in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, with a gunshot wound to the head.
Following reports of his death, the USCA community flooded social media and campus grounds with messages honoring Duncan.
A hashtag #RIPJD appeared on the Pacer Union Board room’s window with a baseball painted beside it.
The USCA Student Life page received a number of comments regarding Duncan’s passing.
Amongst the memories, a common feature of Jeremiah was continually described: his smile.
Haleigh Thorne described Duncan as “such a great friend. [He] always had a smile on his face.”
“He was truly one of the kindest and most authentic people that I have had the pleasure of meeting through the USCA community,” commented Morgan Bradham.
A history professor on campus, Maureen Burgess, recalled her experience with Duncan in the classroom.
“I had the privilege of watching Jeremiah grow from an unsure first-semester freshman to a young man in the process of gaining self-confidence while growing into the man he was supposed to be,” said Burgess.
“Our world just grew a bit darker as we struggle to understand his senseless death,” Burgess closed.
Caitlyn Trotter wrote “If you knew JD, you knew fun…you knew laughter...& [sic] you knew his dreams.”
In a memorial Facebook post, which included many pictures of the two, Gabriella Hernandez wrote, “Jeremiah was a special kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his back. He would stop doing anything and everything to help another individual out. He had the biggest heart.”
Submitted photo of Jeremiah Duncan and Gabriella Hernandez
On Tuesday night a vigil was announced to take place on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. near Pacer Downs.
In a brief family interview with Pacer Times and other news sources, Duncan’s older brother, Maurice Duncan, reflected on his brother’s character.
“He cared for everybody, and he had a heart for everybody,” he said.
Maurice acknowledged the family’s plans to honor Jeremiah by continuing “to live for what he lived [for.]”
Dominique Parker, cousin and “best friend” of Jeremiah noted that she misses “his smile, seeing him every day.”
“I feel lost,” Parker described, “but I know he’s in a better place.”
Attending the vigil were students, USCA faculty and administration, Duncan’s family and pastor.
Students participating in the vigil held candles and packed close together under the rain beneath the patio roof near Pacer Downs.
At the vigil, Student Body President Q’ladrin Qourters began with a brief moment of silence before recalling her memories of Duncan.
With each student that approached the microphone, tears and laughter were shared.
Friends of Duncan spoke on his athleticism and dedication to his sport, but also his dedication to supporting his friends.
“He just had a love for people,” said one student, emotionally.
Duncan’s pastor also spoke at the vigil.
“To see someone so beautiful cut so soon,” he said, “it hurts … He was a good gift to us.”
Elizabeth Webb, Communications Professor at USCA noted that she had “the pleasure of working with Jeremiah while he was here.”
“I just want you to know that there are several faculty members here tonight because he means so much to us,” Webb expressed.
The night closed in prayer led by SGA president Q’ladrin Qourters, expressing thanks over the presence of Jeremiah Duncan and requesting a “protective haven” over Duncan’s family and those grieving.
“This has to stop, this is not fair,” Qourters cried. “We just pray that something can be done about this [and] that these senseless killings stop.”
Students collectively blew out their candles and released balloons into the night, signifying the end of the vigil.
Duncan is survived by family members and the USC Aiken community.
