Dordt Mourns the Passing of Senior Digital Media Major

Austin Brown, a senior digital media major from Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away unexpectedly from medical complications earlier this week.

“As a campus community, we mourn the loss of Austin, and we pray that the Holy Spirit will minister to his family and friends during these difficult times,” says President Erik Hoekstra.

Digital Media Production Instructor Mark Volkers says that Austin was always ready with a quip and an easy laugh.

“Austin was a bright presence in class,” he says. “Austin’s honesty was so refreshing.”

Austin worked for the Dordt Media Network where, this past year, he learned all aspects of broadcast production including instant replay. Dordt Media Network Director Rich Lodewyk says that Austin’s favorite job was operating the game camera, especially at Defender basketball games.

“He really enjoyed being part of the student broadcast team,” says Lodewyk. “During a broadcast, he would often be heard laughing while talking to his fellow student co-workers. He preferred to keep things lighthearted as often as possible.”

An active member of the Gaming Guild, Austin loved playing Super Smash Brothers with other guild members and was always willing to lend a hand at Gaming Guild events. Austin was thoughtful and introspective; Student Support Specialist and Gaming Guild Director Dr. Brad Hickey recalls how Austin wrote insightfully about virtual reality and the ways that it might be used in culture to affect change.

“My most recent memory of Austin occurred while we drove a Gator back to Facilities together, arguing over which Marvel movies were the best,” says Hickey. “I remember his big smile as we parted, and he headed back to his dorm for the evening. I look forward to that future day when we will be able to pick up our arguments once again. Austin will be missed.”

On Tuesday, April 19, students and employees gathered on campus to remember Austin and to pray for his family and friends.

A service to honor Austin’s life will take place on May 2, 2022, at 1:30 pm at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Fort Collins, Colorado (1900 S Taft Hill Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80526). This service may be viewed from afar via livestream. To learn more, please visit the Goes Funeral Care website.

To assist in helping the Brown family with funeral expenses, Dordt is collaborating with Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. To contribute, please go to https://app.easytithe.com/App/Giving/bethelcrc and, under "Funds," scroll to the "Austin Brown Funeral Expenses" giving option (at the bottom of the list).