Jackson was the first person I befriended in the BLA cohort, as we became desk neighbors in our first studio! As we went through our first term designing the Lawrence Hall courtyard, I was struck by his ambition and curiosity. On our first day, we had a site analysis. I had written half a page of observations, and when I looked over, he had the full page documented and more! He was so detail-oriented and looked at every square inch of the courtyard. Later in the term, we built physical models and stayed up until 3 a.m. laughing as he tried to figure out the structural integrity of his second floor while I chopped and glued balsa wood benches.
As we went through our four years of classes and studio, we continued to sit together, and it was such a joy to watch him flourish as both a designer and a person. The best part was being able to call him a best friend.
Even though I saw Jackson ~60 hours a week in studio… we continued to hang out outside of school! We went on many trips, including the Oregon Coast, New Orleans, and Mt. Hood. Jackson quickly became my adventure buddy. We craved the adrenaline of climbing giant rocks and overlooking the ocean horizon while talking and talking about our futures. We would make driftwood forts, play lacrosse, and cook so much food! He also taught me how to do a headstand! Headstands became a big part of our friendship, haha. My favorite memory will always be at Mt. Hood, when he kept leaving our Airbnb at night to talk to the Highland cows.
Jackson has been and will always be a huge inspiration to me, not just with his work but with his approach to life. He was always curious, interested, and optimistic about every opportunity. I felt like he had a new side job or commitment every other week. All of these experiences shaped him into one of the most brilliant guys I’ve ever met.
I miss Jackson every day. As I continue to work in the field and become an adult, I know he’s proud and watching over me.
September 13, 2026