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Police identify student found dead early Saturday morning

By Kate Jacobson (Last updated: 11/23/09 11:33pm)

East Lansing Police have released the name of the 22-year-old MSU student who died early Saturday morning.

Environmental soil science and chemistry senior Brian McMillen was found dead at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday at the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house, 432 Evergreen Ave.

A roommate found McMillen unresponsive on the bedroom couch and cold to the touch. Police and fire personnel who arrived on the scence attempted to revive him, but were unsuccessful.

Daley said alcohol appears to be a factor in the death.

McMillen was the historian for MSU’s Tau chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho and was the most senior member of the fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho President David McCalla said. McMillen was expected to graduate in the spring.

A luminary service is scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. today at the rock on Farm Lane. Alpha Gamma Rho is inviting the public to attend.

Originally Published: 11/23/09 2:37pm

Commentary:

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how sad

11/23/09 2:48pm

He was the Valedictorian of his High School class at Adrian.

MotorCity007

11/23/09 2:53pm

I know an individual who was #4 out of 400 people in his high school class. This guy was the smartest individual when he was in school and the dumbest person around when he started drinking. He would wear depends when he want out for the night in case he pissed his pants. Just because your book smart doesn’t mean you have any common sense.

MSU Student

11/23/09 3:25pm

I think the state news should take the same stance on comments with this death as they did with Ryan Rosman. There are many people who know this guy who would not appreciate the words of immature college students who don’t understand that we all have made mistakes drinking, we are just lucky enough to not have died from those mistakes.

Alumni

11/23/09 3:30pm

motorcity you should be a bit more sympathetic, because you knew someone who was really book smart and then became a drunken fool does not mean that all smart people are like this.
Agree with motorcity-NOTHING screams stupidity and ignorance as you. Re-read the article he joined teh fraternity in the Fall of 2005, he was a freshman (trust me I KNOW) it is now teh fall of 2009. Last time I did math 2009-2005 equaled 4. Thats right he was a 4th year senior and going to graduate with 2 degrees and a minor in a foreign language. I dont really think you could say he was a slacker of a student!!!!!!!!

he's right

11/23/09 3:38pm

Brian was in his 5th year.
2005-06, 06-07, 07-08, 08-09, 09-10. 5 years. He’s got you on that one.

anon

11/23/09 3:44pm

Alumni – Please don’t use the title “Alumni” when posting ever again.

MSU and its greek system is really starting to tarnish MSU’s reputation. Nothing like furthering the “party school” stereotype.

E

11/23/09 4:21pm

I Honestly do not see the need for you people to be arguing about how many years he was in school for and for others to bash this young man. This is a horrible tragedy and there is no need to make the situation worse. Please if you are reading this at the STATE NEWS, please disable all comments. His family does not need to see the comments of ignorant people and no one should have the right to bash a young man who just passed away. Thank you

Alumni(not orignal one)

11/23/09 5:00pm

I am an ALUMNI of both MSU and the Greek Community.
The thing is ANON I am afforded the right to use Alumni as much as the next ALUMNI, just like you get to spout off anti Greek rhetoric behind your little username. This poor man lost his life, whether it be to a poor decision or something else, either way, don’t use his death as pulpit, for your anti-greek propaganda. It’s really just pathetic.

voice of reason KJB

11/23/09 5:25pm

Our sympathies go out to Brian’s family and friends. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Please remember that no matter what stupid comments people post here that they just don’t matter – they are just a bunch of people with nothing better to do. It’s sad to see that almost a year later that this paper has not disabled this feature on student deaths. Please remember that there are others who understand what you are going through and they are there to support you. Cherish your memories, your family, and your friends – they are the ones that will help you through this. God bless.

FellowAdrianGraduate

11/23/09 5:43pm

I’ve known his whole family since I was little. As well as went to school with him. For those making false accusations, that didn’t even know him, really? Do you need to stoop that low? There will be an explanation of his death. But, that’s not going to be the whole story.

Please, stop and think about what you say before you write it. If this were your brother, would you want people thinking that he was some stupid, immature person who doesn’t know what alcohol is?

I’m tired of reading about how people just assume he’s immature and had no idea the effects of alcohol.

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Show Respect

11/23/09 6:10pm

Nobody has any right judging Brian if you did not know him.

Oh and FYI….he studied in Spain for a semester….probably one of the reasons he was here for a fifth year…oh and he was majoring in chemistry AND environmental soil science AND a minor in spanish….don’t judge someone if you don’t know anything about him.

@Tom

11/23/09 6:18pm

Tom, you’re a cruel sociopath. You may have the right to say whatever you want, but that doesn’t mean it should be expressed in a civil public forum.

Go ‘sperg out online somewhere else.

Tom

11/23/09 6:19pm

To “show some respect”,

He may have been a double major with a minor, He may have studied abroad, and he may have been validictorian, but he still thought it was “cool” to “get wasted”, and what do you know?

Now he’s dead.

Life goes on, and we all know that younger people think they are invincible.

Respect is to be earned, and is not automatic.

The only people who we should feel sorry for is the family, who have to bury a son knowing it was completely preventable.

Bob The Builder

11/23/09 6:23pm

To all the anti-Fraternity people:

What is your big problem? The Greek system at MSU raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable organizations every year, provides a place for students to develop leadership skills, and provides many students a home away from home and a supportive environment that is hard to find elsewhere.

It is tragic that this man died due to drinking too much.

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Student wants fair action taken

11/23/09 6:32pm

I agree that comments should be removed. State News, you remove the comments from one students death because of the sensitive nature, what is the difference with this one… Are you biased, or is it just lack of common sense the state news lacks?

AHS Friend and Neighbor

11/23/09 6:46pm

@agree with motorcity,
Brian was in his 5th year. He was as smart a person as I ever knew, and he had a very full academic schedule. How dare you slander him like that.

I also feel comments should be blocked. I realize some of you may not posses the ability to turn the stupid valve off in your own head, but please, shut your computer off.

Also, @Tom, it seems obvious that no one loved/loves you very much. Please, for the love of God, stop taking out your anger on this dead person! Resist the urge to comment on here, for you are only embarrassing yourself.

Rest in Peace, Brian, and my condolences go to the McMillen family.

Adrian Friend

11/23/09 7:14pm

Goodbye Brian. I won’t forget the lively talks we had throughout high school. You will be missed.

A. B. Daugherty

11/23/09 7:47pm

You know, everyone’s jumping to the conclusion (thanks, in part, to comments by one police officer) that drinking was THE cause. I suppose that’s easy to do when it happened on a college campus. However, on TV news reports his father has indicated he’d been saying he wasn’t feeling well … and toxicology tests must be done … so before so many of you automatically assume this young man was being stupid, you might want to wait until final tests/reports are in. Condolences to the members of Tau chapter AGR. In college, I knew many fine AGRs from the Tau chapter … peace to all of you.

MSU MOM

11/23/09 8:06pm

There is nothing anyone can say that will help at this time, I lost my son 10 months ago at MSU, this whole year is just a blur, we have to be kind to one another. This family has a long road ahead of them, this is only the beginning. God Bless you and your son Brian.

Student wants fair action taken

11/23/09 8:14pm

Must be nice to be the State News and delete comments that show how biased they are…too bad families can’t delete the comments people place on here that are rude. Once again I will state the comments section should be removed….I give this 20 minutes before the SN deletes this comment.

America

11/23/09 8:22pm

I’m shocked there are so many people saying such terrible things. Who the heck raised you people? Darth Vader? Have a little sympathy. I can’t imagine you’d be such pricks if you weren’t hiding behind your keyboards.

We all make mistakes that could be potentially fatal. Ever run through a the tailend of a yellow light? What about jaywalk? How about try to hang Christmas lights on your house?

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Waiting for the day when everyone will love...

11/23/09 8:57pm

My thoughts and sympathies are with the family. Brian-you will be missed. You were so kind, caring, and compassionate. Your hometown friends are mourning your loss. So sad it had to end this way…

Yo

11/23/09 10:40pm

I am just saying, dont start blaming the greek community over this. There are students that die in alcohol related incidents all the time. A lot of the time the deaths are people not in the greek community.

Chris

11/23/09 10:59pm

Sounds like a shame, a real waste of talent and life.

Spartalum

11/23/09 11:37pm

What a tragic loss. Thoughts and prayers from the Spartans to this family during this upcoming holiday season. It is unfortunate that so many people feel compelled to submit wildly insensitive posts. This young man was apparently very talented academically yet suffered as many, many do with a problem with alcohol. This has nothing to do with the Greeks. The most dangerous activity that I ever witnessed at MSU was in the Residence Halls and it was not fraternity related.

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