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TW // sexual violence, suicide

The following text contains information which may be harmful or traumatizing to some individuals.

Patrick, who graduated from ASU in 2014, and his wife Teri Caserta love Arizona State University and desire to provide meaningful financial support for students in honor of their only son, Brandon Caserta. Brandon tragically passed away on June 25, 2018, while on active duty in the U.S. Navy. Caserta was an athlete who was into karate, swimming and football since he was 4 years old. He was an avid bicyclist and runner. He joined the U.S. Navy to become a Navy SEAL. While in Basic Underwater Demolition SEALS, he broke his leg in two places and that put him on another path in the Navy. He went to school to become an aviation electrician and ended up at Naval Air Station Norfolk Naval Base attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28). Brandon was sexually assaulted, bullied, hazed, retaliated against and was called a “BUDS DUD” meaning he failed out of the SEAL program. After two years of asking for mental health help and being denied, due to the treatment Brandon was enduring from his leadership, Brandon couldn’t take it any longer. On June 25, 2018, Brandon took his life just one month to the day after he turned 21 years old. Brandon’s death could have been prevented.

The Brandon Caserta Memorial Scholarship is established in memory of Brandon Caserta by his parents, Patrick and Teri Caserta. Everyone should be given medical and mental health help. Brandon always helped people whether it was giving money to students who didn’t bring lunch to school or giving his leftovers from a restaurant to someone in need or talking others in his Navy command out of dying by suicide. This scholarship will continue Brandon’s legacy of helping others and will support ASU’s College of Health Solutions students. The Caserta’s hope is that the student recipients of this scholarship will carry on Brandon’s legacy through their support and love for others.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or experiencing a mental health crisis, speak to a trained listener at 1-800-273-8255 through the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline, text HELLO to 741741 — a free, confidential, 24/7 Crisis Text Line, or visit 988lifeline.org.