Junior Ryan McDonald, 23, died last Wednesday.
McDonald's death was caused by complications of muscular dystrophy, said senior Adam Shapiro, who worked with McDonald at the Jewish Community Center of Indianapolis.
Patti White, the English Department Chair and McDonald's advisor, said that he had been in poor health.
"He wanted very much to graduate and finish his studies," White said. "I'm very sorry he didn't get to."
Director of disabled student development Richard Harris said McDonald didn't go to college just to get a degree.
"Ryan was very, very interested in ideas and was more interested in taking classes for the ideas and the learning instead of simply filling a DAPR requirement," Harris said.
White said McDonald hoped to teach English.
"He was an extremely clever creative writer, with a dry, edgy sense of humor," White said. "He was articulate, funny, and he worked hard under trying circumstances."
McDonald was confined to a wheel chair, White said.
"He had a sardonic view of the world," White said. "He wasn't easily impressed by platitudes and euphemisms; he saw through facades."
Shapiro said McDonald was a computer specialist at a summer camp at the Jewish Community Center.
"He was very cool, always in a good mood, and always smiled at you," Shapiro said. "He always had such a positive attitude, and he was great with kids."
Shapiro said McDonald wasn't afraid to talk about his muscular dystrophy.
"He was very open about talking about it because he didn't want any of the kids confused," Shapiro said. "He never seemed to be phased by his disability."
McDonald preferred "small, informal groups" to campus organizations, but he did support various muscular dystrophy causes, Harris said.
McDonald was also interested in collecting John F. Kennedy memorabilia, Cuban knock-off cigars, and the Atlanta Braves, Harris said.
"He was a valued member of the English department and we're going to miss him," White said.
According to the Indianapolis Star, donations can be made in his memory to Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation at 2330 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208.
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