Jackson and I met a few years ago during one of our first landscape architecture studios. I remember a mutual friend suggested that I switch desks and come and sit at the desk between her and Jackson, and I said I couldn’t because I’m way too loud and Jackson would never know a moment of quiet again. He just laughed. I think about this memory because I don’t think either of us could’ve imagined then how close we would become. A few weeks into this studio he began to help me with grading math, which I famously hated doing, and I remember how much it meant to me that he took the time to sit with me and explain it. Slowly a few of us in the studio started to talk more and form a friend group. Then all six of us went on a trip to a friend’s beach house, and the rest is history.
We were an extremely close knit friend group. There were few days throughout the school year when we didn’t see each other. We spent most of all weekdays on campus going to classes, studying, and working together. On the weekends we would plan small trips like sunrise hikes, or go to each other’s parties. Our schooling was often rigorous and having each other to lean on as support was absolutely a gift. Jackson and I were desk neighbors for two years, so I can truly attest to his dedication to his work. I told him often that I had never met anyone with a work ethic like his, and that I admired this so much about him. It almost became a running joke that he was always pulling a late night in studio, or planning a meeting with someone. Despite the time and energy commitment of his own work, he was always first to often to help me or anyone else if we were struggling. He truly was an integral part of our community, not to mention all the other activities/groups he was involved in on campus.
Jackson became an integral part of my life outside of school as well. At the beginning, I thought he was so quiet and shy and it seemed as though we had no common interests beyond a shared area of study. The truth is that we never did have many common interests, but I learned that didn’t really matter with Jackson. He was a very curious person and asked me a lot about myself and my own interests. In turn, I asked him about his. We developed a friendship that was based on mutual care and understanding towards each other. I would ask him about Huskers games, he would listen to my favorite singer and tell me which songs he liked, and so on and so forth. I remember the first time I went to an Oregon football game, I told him that he would’ve been proud of me because I was getting really into it and screaming the whole game (it was quite out of character for me to enjoy sports). He really appreciated that. I loved watching his face light up when we talked about something he was passionate about. I always told him I loved how much he loved Nebraska, and his family, and his teams. And I meant it. One of my favorite Jackson memories was when I showed up to class one day wearing a pair of red, shiny dansko clogs. Jackson thought they were so cool for whatever reason. At the same time, I was obsessed with a Dutch cartoon character called Miffy, whom he called “Mippy”. When we saw each other after his trip to the Netherlands, he had brought me back a keychain of a tiny pair of “Mippy” wooden clogs. I don’t know that I’ve ever smiled as much as I did then. I felt so seen and loved in that moment. They’re still attached to my purse.
My years at UO were the best of my life so far, and Jackson was a huge part of them. Every year we went as a group on trips to the Oregon coast to celebrate Macie’s birthday. We went to a cabin in the Mt. Hood Forest to celebrate Jackson and I’s December birthdays. We went to football games. We spent halloweekend together, including a group halloween costume where we were all Clue characters. We went on hikes and swam in rivers and the ocean. We played board and video games. We had dinner parties. I feel extremely lucky for the memories we all have together from these years. Jackson took us to meet his boss who had goats, because he knew I would love the goats. I did love the goats a lot and had an excellent time. One time I hosted a “power point” night at my apartment, where we each made a powerpoint on whatever topic we wanted. He made his about Kearney and everything you could do there. This was funny because my topic was “reasons why I really love my friends” and one thing I said about Jackson was that I loved his love for Nebraska. Point proven. Another thing I said about Jackson was that I thought that if something bad happened, like if I was drowning in the ocean or something, I thought he was the kind of person who would try to save me even if it was at great risk to himself. I still believe that’s the type of person he was. Then I fell and broke my entire TV and Jackson laughed for a solid five minutes. It was a great night. Despite always being busy and juggling many responsibilities, Jackson always made time to be with us.
The type of friendship Jackson and I had felt very special, so I felt comfortable telling him things about my life and my past that were reserved for those close to me. I will admit that when I first met him, I assumed he would find me to be too strange, or wouldn’t understand a lot of the things that made me who I am. I was wrong. Jackson showed up to support me in every way he could. Early in our friendship when my dad became very sick, he constantly checked in to see how I was doing. The same went for ongoing mental health struggles I experienced throughout college. He always wanted to be there for me in any way he could. When the final year of school came and we had to pick a topic for our comprehensive project, I had no idea what to do. Jackson was already in contact with people and had potential sites, as was his way. Classic. But he told me that the narrative I needed to share was my own. I knew he was right, and so I did. I sat next to him for the entire multi-term studio, so he saw its progression, but still when I showed him my project for the first time, I saw him tear up just a little bit. That project was extraordinarily meaningful to me, and I would’ve never had the courage or seen the value in sharing my story if it hadn’t been for him. I was so lucky to be known and understood so well. On the flip side, I also watched Jackson’s own personal growth. I admired how much he wanted to always become the best version of himself. During the time we knew each other, I saw him leave the shy and quiet teenager behind and grow into an emotionally-mature, strong, outgoing, and empathetic adult.
No one was surprised when Jackson was immediately hired at a firm. I remember thinking that there was no one who deserved it more. I was the first in our friend group to leave Eugene and Jackson helped me move out of my apartment. I knew Jackson was excited and nervous to move to Dallas where he didn’t know many people, but I never worried about him. I knew he would make friends wherever he went, it was just the kind of person he was. I remembered years earlier the first time he came to my apartment where I lived alone, he told me that it was his goal to have his own place like that. When he moved to Dallas, I thought to myself that he had reached it. I was sad to leave my friends and this chapter of life behind, so I would sometimes ponder what all our futures would look like after graduation, as something to look forward to. I thought in a few years we’d all reunite, at Jackson’s wedding and dance together like we did in our college days. Or at an Oregon football game and be those old alumni having too much fun in the stands at Autzen. I thought one day I’d meet his children, decked out in Huskers gear, and not be surprised at all to find he was an amazing father. Even now, I keep the bright future I imagined for him in my thoughts.
It was an honor and a gift to get to share so much of my life with Jackson. I’ll always be grateful for our friend group, for our memories, and for the real and meaningful impact he had on my life. I loved him deeply, and will miss him just the same. My heart is with everyone experiencing this loss.
August 31, 2026