JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Shockwaves were sent though the campus of Edward Waters College when 24 hours after a man was found dead in an Arlington apartment, authorities identified that man as the school's vice president of planning and research effectiveness.

Jeffery Hardiman, 45, had recently been promoted to the vice president position at the college where he worked for seven years.

According to authorities, Hardiman was found dead at his apartment on University Boulevard North Wednesday afternoon.

The school's provost, Dr. Donna Oliver, said the EWC alum was scheduled to be off on Monday and Tuesday but was supposed to attend a presidential inauguration meeting on Wednesday, so when the normally punctual employee was a didn't show up, fellow colleagues immediately raised a red flag.

"One of the things we always teased Jeffrey about is if we had a meeting or whatever, he was always the first one there -- always on time," Oliver said.

Homicide detectives said Hardiman's worried co-workers stopped by his home in River Bend Apartment complex to check on him and they knew something was wrong when he didn't come to the door -- that's when police said a maintenance worker discovered his body.

While the facts of how Hardiman died or how long his body was in apartment remain a mystery, police said foul play was involved in the man's death.

"It makes absolutely no sense. It's baffling to me," Oliver said. "Senseless. Such a wonderful life cut short."

Investigators have asked that anyone with information about Hardiman's death call Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS.