Well-respected student was marketing management major, active on campus
By Amanda Clifford, Clare Shreve
The body of Ted Karwin, a well-liked senior set to graduate in less than two months, was found in his Northwest Portland apartment late Tuesday afternoon. Multnomah County officials have confirmed that the cause of death was suicide.
The Rev. E William Beauchamp, C.S.C., announced the news of Karwin's death to the UP community shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday.
University officials, citing privacy laws, declined to provide information about Karwin, but the Multnomah County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death.
Karwin, a 23-year-old from West Linn, Ore., was in his second year at UP as a management and marketing major. According to friend senior Ben Taketa, Karwin transferred to the University two years ago from Chapman University, a small school in Orange County in Southern California. Karwin was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, the business fraternity at Chapman, and when he transferred to UP in 2006 his passion for advertising and marketing led him to join the UP chapter.
Although Karwin only attended UP for two years, his bright smile and charisma impressed students and professors throughout the UP community.
ASUP President Kyle Bunch said Karwin was widely involved in university events and activities, even though he lived more than six miles from campus.
"He added so much to our community here at UP," Bunch said. "He was such a driven person and he really made an impact on everyone around him."
Diane Martin, an associate business professor and Karwin's academic adviser, said Karwin was a well-respected student. "Ted was a joy in the classroom, engaged and thoughtful," Martin said. "He had a ready smile and a generous sense of humor. I know he was looking forward to graduation and a promising career in marketing. He is deeply missed."
Brian Paquette had been helping Karwin remodel his Pearl District apartment. A 27-year-old interior designer, Paquette described Karwin as an amazing friend. "He always made sure that you felt like you were the most important person in the room," Paquette said. "He exuded that kind of quality. If Ted was anything, he was predictable. When you texted him, he texted back. If you called him, he'd answer on the second ring or text you to tell you he couldn't talk. He was one of the best friends I ever had."
Taketa, who was a fraternity brother, recalled a day he was struggling with decisions about his future and Karwin helped him see the positive side of his life. "He said something to the effect of 'Ben you've been doing fine, you don't have anything to worry about,'" Taketa said. "It was the most perfect thing to say, at that moment. It made my whole day better."
Karwin's life will be recognized at today's noon Mass in The Chapel of Christ the Teacher.
In an e-mail sent to all faculty, staff and students shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday, John Goldrick, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Life, said the University has resources to support those "who may be having difficulties with this tragic situation." Goldrick specifically named staff members in the Office of Campus Ministry and Health Center counselors and provided contact information, along with a link to the Health Center Web site that offers suggestions for responding to grief and loss.
The e-mail also referenced the disappearance of Juan Manuel Garcia, a quiet freshman who lived in Shipstad Hall and who was reported missing a week and two days ago. Garcia's case is under investigation by the Portland Police Bureau, which continues to ask anyone with information about Garcia's whereabouts to call Detectives Mike Weinstein at 503-823-0446, Tim Sukimoto at 503-823-0462 or 911.
Karwin's death shocked many interviewed by The Beacon, especially those who learned the upbeat senior had taken his own life.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for those ages 15-24 and the second leading cause of death of college students, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The association also reported that nearly half of all college students feel depressed at some point in time during their college careers, and that this depression is a leading cause of the high rates of suicide.
Along with his commitment to school, Karwin's friends and blog both talked about his interest in fashion and design. The self-described "denim snob" often wrote about the latest fashion trends and the progress on the remodel of his apartment.
Senior Matthew Hilton, who had been in classes with Karwin, said he was a charismatic and driven person. "If he wanted something, he would go out and get it. Although I only knew him for a little while, he left a lasting impression on me. "
Taketa echoed the impact Karwin had on friends and colleagues. Not long after Karwin began at UP, Taketa said he and others in the fraternity wanted Karwin to serve in a leadership role in the organization.
"We created the public relations director so Ted could sit on the executive board," Taketa said.
"That's normally never done. We created this position for Ted. He had the ambition and the passion and the drive to be a part of the group. He did an amazing job."
Jessie Hethcoat, Lacey Bitter, Aly Ferris, Elliot Boswell, Katie Schleiss, Hannah Gray and Amie Dahnke contributed to this story.
