He was smart as shit. He was known for having a good time and being the life of the party, but he also had like perfect grades. I went to his room one day and he was like pacing back and forth somewhat panicking and I asked what was wrong and he said “I promised the boys we’d start drinking early today (we were having a day party that day) but I have an accounting exam tomorrow. Fuck it. I’ll try to study tonight.” I thought that was an awful idea. Well. I picked him up from class the next day, he was visibly hung over, and I asked him “You bomb that test?” and he so nonchalantly said “Nah I made a 95” and he couldn’t understand why that was absolutely insane to hear.

I sat next to his mom 2 years after his passing when they awarded him a posthumous degree at the College of Business award ceremony. It was a very special moment.