After the tragic announcement of the Feb. 17 deaths of UNI seniors Tristan Marlow and Justin Kime, the Panther community received a notice on Wednesday, Feb. 20 that another member of the UNI student body had passed away.

In an email to the student body, Vice President of Student Affairs Paula Knudson wrote that Brendan Hartman, a 21-year-old senior economics major from Council Bluffs, Iowa, died the weekend of Feb. 15-17.

Hartman died on Saturday, Feb. 16, according to an obituary published in the Sioux City Journal.

Services for Hartman took place at his home parish, St. John Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs.

According the Sioux City Journal obituary, Hartman had been heavily involved at the parish from a young age and had participated in local and national mission trips. The visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, with the funeral at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23.

According to Knudson’s email, Hartman was described by faculty and classmates as “an intelligent and kind young man” as well as “a great listener” who displayed patience and respect towards his peers and professors.

The Sioux City Journal obituary noted that he was “always eager to accomplish meaningful work with and for people” and showed “kindness, love, and deep compassion.”

Along with many other honors and leadership positions in high school, Hartman had developed a Kids Against Cancer Relay for Life team, raising over $40,000 in three years, in honor of his mother, who preceded him in death in 2012.

In her email to the student body, Knudson said, “This has been a week of great loss for our Panther family.”

In light of the deaths of Brendan Hartman, Tristan Marlow, and Justin Kime, the university is striving to provide resources and support for all students.

An ongoing grief support group is being held at the UNI Counseling Center on Thursdays at 3 p.m. 

According to Counseling Center Interim Director Jennifer Schneiderman, the group aims to helps students “take steps towards processing and working through grief with others who are also working towards hope and healing.”

Students who are interested in being a part of the group should call the Counseling Center at 319-273-2676 to register.

Students may also call the Counseling Center to schedule individual appointments, and more information about Counseling Center services is available at counseling.uni.edu.