As first-year students celebrate the dawn of a new life chapter they mourn the loss of a young man whose story has been cut unspeakably short. The thrill and enthusiasm associated with new student orientation was interrupted by the tragic death of new student Brian Choi.
Brian had only been a member of the Pepperdine University community for a short time yet his death has had a profound impact on the community particularly those students living in Eaton Hall who got to know Brian throughout orientation.
While a definitive medical statement as to Brian’s cause of death has not yet been released his death was preceded by an episode in Pepperdine’s Firestone Fieldhouse early Saturday morning that included a seizure followed by erratic breathing according to Eaton Resident Advisor Andrew Frierson.
“Whatever he experienced in the early morning after midnight it was severe enough to result in Public Safety answering the call said Jerry Derloshon, executive director of Pepperdine Public Relations and News.
Pepperdine’s Department of Public Safety cleared Firestone Fieldhouse and began CPR. DPS worked closely with Los Angeles County Medical Response, as Brian was rushed to a Santa Monica hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The time of death was 2:15 a.m., and he was accompanied to the hospital by Scott Reynolds, the resident director on duty and Director of Housing and Residence Life Kerri Heath. Both HRL?staff members were able to speak with Choi’s parents.
According to Frierson, Brian had also suffered a seizure on the night of Aug. 24 while playing basketball with a group of Eaton Hall students. He was taken to the hospital but returned to campus on the following day.
After his seizure he was pretty aware and conscious said Frierson, of last week’s incident. We knew he was fine because he was on the stretcher waving. All of the guys in the dorm were still very worried about him which was unusual because he seemed to be fine.”
Following his episode Tuesday night concerned students began to sign their names on a basketball for Brian as a symbol of support.
And then came the shocking news of their dorm-mate’s death on Saturday morning. Later that day members of Eaton residence staff spoke with the Eaton men about how to proceed with Frosh Follies in the wake of loss.
“We talked about Brian for a few minutes Frierson said. He was pretty excited about Pepperdine. He was stoked about it. He was pretty excited about Frosh Follies too. So we were like “Let’s do this in Brian’s memory and enjoy it.”
The residents of Eaton Hall have since finished signing Brian’s basketball. The signature-covered ball was carried under the arm of an Eaton resident in tribute to Brian as the group marched into the Frosh Follies event in the Firestone Fieldhouse Saturday evening.
Frosh Follies began with Chaplain David Lemley addressing the class of 2014 and others in attendance. The short ceremony included a moment of silence for Brian and some words from Brian’s SLA. Lemley offered comfort and support to the grieving student population and said a prayer for the Choi family and others close to Brian.
Frierson said Brian became fast friends with many students in his dorm.
‘The Eaton group got pretty close very quickly and they were hanging out with Brian a lot. They all thought he was a really fun guy and were already very worried about him which is a surprise because they hadn’t known him very long.”
The residents of Eaton have rallied to pay respect to their departed dorm-mate.
“It actually has drawn us closer as a dorm said Grant Cornero, an Eaton Resident Advisor. We embraced his kind spirit and have formed a stronger brotherhood. We are really seeking to honor him in the Follies and in our regular dorm life.”
The University sent out an email to students and members of the Pepperdine community Saturday afternoon in which President Benton urged the community to “place our trust in God and support one another in this time of loss and sorrow.”
The University also hosted a time of prayer Sunday night prior to a candlelight devotional as an opportunity to come together as a faith community and remember Brian.
Memorial services will take place Thursday Sept. 2 p.m. at Church Everyday 17037 Devonshire St. in Northridge. Those wishing to express their sympathies may direct their condolences to the office of the Dean of Students and they will be forwarded to the family.