GRANVILLE – Denison University officials say classes have been canceled and counselors will be on hand after the body of a missing student was found Tuesday morning.
The university posted a statement on its website saying Wendell Jackson, 21, was found deceased Tuesday in the university’s Biological Reserve, a 350-acre outdoor facility used to study various science subjects, such as biology, animal behavior and plant entomology.
“We are all incredibly saddened by Wendell’s tragic death. He was a bright, active and engaged person. A Resident Assistant who touched many lives, an admissions host who introduced future students to Denison, a graduate of the LeaderShape program — a student we were all proud to call a Denisonian,” the school’s statement said in part.
Classes were canceled and the university said its Swasey Chapel, where a prayer vigil was held Monday, would be open all day Tuesday for students, faculty and staff to gather.
Counselors were made available at a student union and at Whisler Health Center.
Ginny Sharkey, a university spokeswoman, says Jackson was last seen studying at an academic building on campus between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sunday. The junior from the Chicago area never returned home to his dorm room Sunday and did not responded to any calls to his cell phone, Sharkey said.
She says Jackson did not attend classes Monday and his friends had not heard from him.
University officials said campus police, Granville Police and the Granville Township Fire Department took part in the search for Jackson.