Tragic Error Leads to Student’s Suicide Before Graduation
A family is set to accept a degree on behalf of their son, Ethan Scott Brown, who tragically took his own life after being wrongly informed that he did not meet the requirements to graduate from the University of Glasgow. Ethan, aged 23, was scheduled to graduate in December 2024 with a geography degree but was notified in September that he did not receive a grade for one course, preventing him from obtaining an Honours degree. Devastated by this news, Ethan ended his life on what would have been his graduation day, December 13, 2024.
Today, Ethan’s family will attend the university’s graduation ceremony to receive his BSc Geography with Honours (Second Class, Division i) degree. The family’s solicitor, Aamer Anwar, highlighted the significance of the day in honoring Ethan’s memory and academic dedication. The family stressed that the ceremony is not just about Ethan but also about recognizing the achievements of all students who have worked tirelessly to graduate.
Following the university’s internal investigation, it was revealed that Ethan had been mistakenly awarded the wrong grade for the course, and he should have actually graduated with a 2:1 Honours degree. The family expressed concerns about systemic failures at the university and demanded answers regarding the potential impact on other students.
The Lord Advocate informed the family that an investigation into Ethan’s death had been reopened, with a focus on health and safety considerations. Additionally, the University of Glasgow was referred to the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) under the Scottish Quality Concerns Scheme. As a result, an independent peer review was conducted, and the findings will be disclosed in the near future.
The family continues to advocate for a thorough investigation into the university’s academic processes to prevent similar incidents in the future. In response, a spokesperson for the University of Glasgow extended condolences to Ethan’s family and expressed relief that Ethan posthumously received his degree.
For support, individuals in distress can reach out to the Samaritans helpline at 116 123 or contact jo@samaritans.org for assistance.