Ethan Brown sadly took his own life after being given the wrong grade.
The heartbroken mum of a student who took his own life on his graduation day after being wrongly told he had failed will collect his degree today.
Tracy Scott will attend a University of Glasgow ceremony to “honour Ethan Brown’s memory, hard work and dedication to his studies and his dream of graduating”. Tracy found Ethan, 23, dead in his bedroom as they prepared to leave for his big day on December 13 last year – three months after Glasgow University told him in error he did not have the credits needed to graduate.
A month later his devastated family discovered the geography student had been given the wrong grade and had achieved a 2:1 honours degree. The university later apologised for its “tragic error”.
Tracy, from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, previously told the Record: “We deserve to have Ethan’s degree. It would be heartbreaking. But he worked hard for it and we should have it. We shouldn’t have to ask for it.”
The mum has accused the university of “repeated incompetence”. She said what should have been a celebration turned into the “worst day ever” when she went to check if he had slept in, only to find him dead.
The ex-Coatbridge High School pupil, who had “a smile that would light up the room”, was due to graduate in June last year but the uni said an assignment had not been handed in.
Ethan was unable to graduate and the family say the university failed to communicate with him over the summer but he hoped to graduate in December.
In September, he was told he had not been awarded a grade for one course and would not be eligible to graduate. It was only when Ethan’s aunt asked more questions that the error came to light. Tracy said her “clever, hard-working and dedicated” son died “believing he’d failed”.
A report from the university’s probe into the death stated there had been “details of deteriorating health and distress”, which could have alerted staff. The family want to know why the error was not spotted by university staff, nor identified by two internal and one external exam boards.
They are now seeking answers alongside family lawyer Aamer Anwar. University chiefs say they believe it was an “isolated” case but admitted a “further shortcoming” involving communications, including the failure to refer Ethan to support services.
Anwar said: “This is the degree Ethan was always entitled to. It will be a bittersweet moment when his mother collects it. However, it’s important that the university realises this is not the end of the matter. It’s only the beginning.”
The Crown Office confirmed a probe will be carried out into Ethan’s death after the family called for a fatal accident inquiry. Writing to Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, Anwar said of the FAI request: “Ethan’s mum and family hope that such an inquiry takes place in order that no other student or family have to suffer the consequences of the systematic failures that the University of Glasgow are responsible for.”
Speaking about the ceremony, Anwar added: “Their attendance honours not only Ethan’s memory, but his hard work and dedication to his studies and his dream of graduating. The family wish to emphasise that the graduation ceremony is not solely to celebrate Ethan’s achievements. It is a celebration for every student who has worked tirelessly to graduate.
“This approach to Ethan’s graduation does not, however, diminish the family’s serious concerns regarding the university’s handling of Ethan’s case and the systemic failures prior to his death and the university’s shameful failure to engage properly thereafter.
“Their aim is to ensure that no other student or family endure what Ethan and his family have.”
Glasgow University said: “We are heartened that Ethan has been awarded his degree and that members of his family are able to attend the graduation ceremony to receive it.”
