Travis Overton, who joined Coastal Carolina University in 2007 and served as its vice president for executive initiatives, has died.
Details were limited Tuesday night, but President Michael Benson’s office announced Overton’s death via a campuswide email.
“Travis dedicated much of his professional career to Coastal Carolina University and was one of the best colleagues I have ever had the privilege to work with. He was tirelessly committed to the success of the university and beloved by students, faculty, staff, and community members,” Benson said in a statement.
Among his many duties, Overton supervised CHANT411, scheduling and event services, and the university’s marketing and communications arm. In early December, he took over leadership of CCU’s belonging and student affairs.
He previously served as vice president of student rights and responsibilities and worked with areas including housing, fraternity and sorority life, student conduct, and off-campus student services.
Benson took to X, formerly Twitter, late Tuesday night, calling Overton CCU’s “Swiss Army knife.”
“Known as Coastal’s Swiss Army Knife, there was nothing he could not or would not do for CCU’s students and for the entire campus community. He was our indispensable team member,” Benson said in the post. “I can’t express how sad I am at his passing and how much I will miss him. Travis knew how much Team Benson loved and appreciated him. There is a hole in the heart of #TEALNATION.”
Overton also assisted in operations with Benson’s office.
“He had an innate ability to diffuse potentially combustible situations with his empathy and understanding,” Benson said. “His lasting impact on the university is immeasurable.”
Overton, a native of the Nashville, Tenn. area, was a member of the National Association for Presidential Assistants in Higher Education, the Association for Student Conduct Administration, and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.
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