Remembering Juan Morris III

Joshua Ceballos/Investigative Editor

A few weeks ago, FIU lost a Resident Assistant, a tutor, a son, a brother and a friend.

This Wednesday night, students, family and University employees gathered in Everglades Hall to honor the life of Juan Morris III, known as JJ to his loved ones, the student who tragically lost his life on Sunday, Feb. 2 outside of Parking Garage 5.

His memorial saw University staff such as Dean of Students Bronwen Bares and University President Mark B. Rosenberg come to pay their respects, along with enough students and friends of Morris III to fill the entire room.

Morris III’s former roommate, Nathan Carr, addressed the crowd with a poem he wrote entitled “Juan’s Poem,” relating how much of an effect Morris III had on his life and continue to have after his passing.

Carr, a junior psychology major, said he met Morris III in freshman year at FIU and from first meeting he could tell that Morris III was a light to those around him.

“He always wanted to make sure that I laughed and that I was happy, he’d always check up on me,” Carr said. “He did things for me I would never expect from a person.”

This message was echoed throughout the night, of how Morris III was there for people whenever he was needed.

Many of his colleagues from his time as an RA at Panther Hall or a desk assistant shared stories of him answering the phone even at 3 a.m. when any of them needed support. 

Morris III’s father, Juan Morris Jr., took to the podium to share about his son’s accomplishments and character as a scholar and an athlete. J Boogie, as Morris Jr. called his son, would tutor his football team to keep their academics up. He eventually became team captain and joined the International Baccalaureate program at Coral Gables High School, and balanced his responsibilities with his community engagements. 

Counseling and Psychological Services personnel were at the memorial, present for any attendees who needed psychological help. Many of those who spoke that night advocated for students to seek help when needed, including Morris III’s father, Juan Morris Jr.

“My son educated me on the struggles that you have here as students. Students drowning in grades, drowning in debt, drowning in depression,” said Morris Jr. “Take advantage of the resources you have here before you drown.”

Morris III was a junior majoring in computer science. He was 21 years old.