Family, friends and students gathered on Saturday, March 10 in remembrance of Andrew (Andy) Smith.

Andy passed away in late February, surrounded by his family after a ongoing battle with brain cancer.

He attended Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in pursuit of a psychology counseling degree with plans of going into sports psychology post graduation. One of the professors he connected with was Dr. Jake Jones, a professor of psychology and former sports psychologist.

“He was also one of the funniest people you’d ever meet. He went through a lot and dealt with a lot and was a very driven person, but he also had a great sense of humor. He always loved to joke around and kind of pick on people a little bit as a joke and a way of connecting with them,” said Jones.

Andy was a committed student despite health challenges, pushing through treatments to achieve his academic goals.

“He was very dedicated to his education. He had a goal that he set for himself when he first got sick and it was something he was going to accomplish no matter what and he did. I think he put in more work to accomplish his assignments and things in class than any other student I knew,” said Jones.

Jones described a time when Andy taught himself how to catch with his non-dominant left hand using the mental imagery he learned about in sports psychology. He threw a ball against the wall from his hospital bed 100 times a day till it was natural.

“Andy embodied so many of the campus values we all are aspiring to, and he will be remembered at CMU for his courage, resilience and incredible Maverick Spirit,” said CMU President John Marshall in an email to the student body.

Shortly before Andy passed, Marshall awarded him his degree at the hospital he was in. He dressed as any other Maverick would on graduation day in black robes, a graduation cap and the Mavroon tassel. He was surrounded by his family as he received his much-anticipated degree and a handshake from Marshall.

Andy will be remembered by his mother, father, sister, friends and all the people he interacted with during his time at CMU. He was a resilient force and a presence that will be missed.