Illinois Institute of Technology student beaten to death

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 36-year-old undergraduate student at the Illinois Institute of Technology was beaten to death in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood Thursday morning, authorities said.

Chicago police and Illinois Tech Public Safety officers responded to 3040 South Wabash Avenue around 5 a.m. They found a 36-year-old man beaten on the sidewalk behind Keating Hall. He was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

A statement issued by the university identified the victim as Jermiron "Jay" Morris. Police said he got into an argument with a 43-year-old acquaintance, who the university said was also an Illinois Tech student.

That man is in custody and police said charges are pending.

"Illinois Institute of Technology is saddened to report the death of one of our students. Illinois Tech was notified that two Illinois Tech students returning to campus early this morning were involved in an altercation," said Alan W. Cramb, president, Illinois Institute of Technology.

The university said there is no immediate threat to the community. Students were alerted to the investigation via email Thursday morning, and school officials said counselors are available to students and staff.

Morris was a featured student on IIT's website. He was part of the School of Applied Technology's Industrial Technology and Management program, earning his bachelor's and master's degree at the same time. He was also the recipient of IIT's Presidential Scholarship.

Before he joined the INTM program, Morris worked as a trucker and earned his associate's degree from Richard J. Daley College in Chicago, the website said.

Morris was very active on campus and thought it was important to have a "global perspective, both personally and professionally." He traveled to China in 2014, where he studied Asian Business Management, Chinese, Chinese Government and Politics, the website said.

He would have graduated this year.

"I am very proud to be an ambassador for INTM and IIT in my community. As I begin my final year of study, I feel very prepared to face whatever challenges await," Morris said on the website.