DAYTON — The University of Dayton's Campus Ministry is planning a memorial prayer service for the Rev. J. Roland Bailey Jr., 40, the Dayton man found beaten in his driveway on Saturday, March 22, and who died the same day from multiple blunt force trauma.

The service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 27, in the Immaculate Conception Chapel on campus.

The Rev. Bailey was a former campus minister for interdenominational ministry. He worked for nearly two years at UD before leaving in April 2007 to pursue other opportunities, Father Chris Wittmann, director of Campus Ministry, said Wednesday, March 26.

Dayton police are investigating Bailey's death as a homicide.

The Rev. LaKendra Hardware is taking the lead on planning the prayer service, and is in touch with students who worked closely with Rev. Bailey while he was at UD, according to Wittmann.

The funeral will be Friday, March 28, in Erie, Pa., with the visitation Thursday evening.

Roland's death marks the third current or former UD employee to have died by violence in recent weeks.

On March 11, a couple died in what police called a murder-suicide involving Henry R. Daniel Jr. and his wife, Valerie Adams Daniel.

Henry Daniel, 42, briefly worked with UD contractor Alpha and Omega Building Services. Valerie Daniel, 41, worked at a dormitory as a night front desk receptionist for the past three years.

Said Wittmann: "Roland's death is, tragically, the third violent death of a person related to UD in the last few weeks. Let us reach out to one another and to any others who may be grieving, and let us likewise reach out for help when we need some support."