LastSaturday, the Carnegie Mellon community honored and mourned the loss of Effion Brown III, who was a victim of suicide in late June. Brown, a Resident Assistant (RA) in London Terrace, staff assistant in the Office of Admission, and active member of SPIRIT and Scotch 'n' Soda Theatre, was headed into his senior year as a cognitive science major at Carnegie Mellon. His memorial service was held in Alumni Concert Hall in CFA, and Brown's many friends and family were present. The memorial service was planned, organized, and attended by family members, peers, and Carnegie Mellon staff and faculty members. 

The Concert Hall was full of love and remembrance.  

"Effion meant so many things to so many people," said BHA senior Brian Orr, who served as the Master of Ceremonies. This was reflected in stories from students and University administration alike.  

Lori Holt, a psychology department faculty member, said she first learned of Brown's passing when she was bragging to a colleague about his exceptional work for her class. Ty Walton, director of the CarnegieMellonAdvisingResourceCenter (CMARC, formerly CMAP), said that Brown was a "respectful young man" who would "pop" into her office for visits.

"I want to thank his family for loaning him to us," said Deborah Wallace, associate director of Admissions. "Carnegie Mellon was better that he was here." 

Associate Dean of HSS Joseph Devine agreed that Brown was an important member of the university community. Devine also read a statement to Brown's family from Dean of HSS John Lehoczky, who was out of town and unable to attend the service.  The statement said in part, "I do want you to know how valued a member to [our] community Effion was." 

HSS senior Roman Ivey added to this, saying that if friendship was defined by sacrifice and caring, he "can imagine no greater friend than Effion." 

Many spoke of Brown's friendliness, and specifically the cheerfulness he showed in his smile. 

"He always had a welcoming smile on his face," said Jennifer Church, associate dean of Student Affairs, who said she and Brown would always exchange pleasant "hello"s when they saw each other on campus. 

"Always the smile, always the cheerfulness," said Associate Vice President Michael Murphy. "I don't know how one cannot be sad about a loss like Effion, but it's borne of that joy [of knowing Effion]." 

Although the memorial service was a solemn occasion, many people joked about Brown and spoke of his own humor, which was as much a part of his charm as his memorable smile. 

"He was the fastest little guy I'd ever seen!" said CFA fourth-year Kim Long, speaking of Brown's achievements in pushing buggy for SPIRIT.

Murphy quoted Brown from when the two first met: "'I've been here for a year, and I've decided I need to get to know you, and you need to get to know me.'" Murphy said that he was impressed with how personal and enthusiastic Brown was about other people and Carnegie Mellon. 

TSB senior William Drewery also told a story about his first meeting with Brown during their freshman year of college. Drewery was challenged to a game of chess by a sibling of another student, and Brown, who happened to walk by and see the beginning of the game, warned Drewery not to underestimate his young opponent. Drewery said, "Five moves into the game, that fifth grader had me beat." Although Brown teased him about it, he also helped Drewery become a better chess player. 

"Effion wasn't the tallest guy, but like he'd always say, he was tall for his height," said CIT senior Jeremiah Mpagazehe. He added, "[Effion] was a friend I knew I could count on for anything." 

HSS junior Ashley Birt also recalled how Brown was very helpful and friendly to her as they got to know each other better through Scotch 'n' Soda's production "Black Idiot Box," which Birt directed and in which Brown starred. "He gave me advice to help me figure out who I am," Birt said. 

There were also musical selections throughout the service to complement the many speeches. CFA sophomore Roberta Burke sang a reprise of "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay," which was first played along with a slideshow before the service began. CIT juniors Candice Lawrence and Cherlisa Tarpeh played a stirring violin duet. Bill Drewery, a youth pastor from the Pittsburgh area, led all in attendance at the memorial service with a hymn. Sonia Reso of The College of New Jersey sang "Smile," a Charlie Chaplin classic, saying it was a "special song for both [she and Brown]" that they would sing to each other when the one of them was feeling down. HSS senior Kevin Manley closed the memorial service with the song "His Eyes on the Sparrow." 

In addition to the slideshow at the beginning of the service, other visual art was included. Brown's uncle James Martin made a DVD of Brown, which was shown during the reception after the service, and CFA senior Carrie Hamilton painted a portrait of Brown that was displayed as the centerpiece of the service. 

"He was an absolute joy to work with," said Hamilton, who was an RA with Brown in the Small Oakland Houses. 

After a benediction from Brown's grandfather Thomas Gideon, all were invited for refreshments in the Zebra Lounge. The attendees were also able to take home a "saint's card" of Brown. On the front of the laminated card was a portrait of Brown in a tuxedo, and on the back were the words of Psalm 23, the Shepherd's Prayer. 

A brick is being laid outside of Baker Hall in memory of Brown, and t-shirts are being sold next week with all proceeds going to charities with which Brown was involved. For more information about the Effion Brown Community Service Fund and the Effion Brown scrapbook, please contact Kim Long at kslong@andrew.cmu.edu.

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