UPDATED: Andrews University Mourns the Loss of Two Students
Andrews University will hold a service this morning to commemorate the lives of two students killed in an auto accident.
On Saturday, November 19, 2016, Austin Currie, a junior engineering student at Andrews and Chandler Koerting, a junior computer science student—both from Illinois—were killed in a multi-vehicle highway collision. Currie and Koerting were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. ABC affiliate WZZM News Channel 13 reported that the crash occurred just before 10 a.m. and involved a semi-trailer and two cars on I-94 westbound.
Today's memorial service will be held at Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University at 11 a.m. It follows a service at the Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church in Illinois on Saturday, November 26.
A storytelling page on the Andrews University website includes an unsigned tribute to Currie and Koerting. The remembrance provides stories of the two young men and the things that endeared them to their friends and to the Andrews University community.
Austin was remembered as a fun-loving and deeply caring friend. He was regarded as one of our best RAs, who often routinely spent Sabbath afternoons cooking for friends. He was also known for sharing meals sent to him by his father with others. A fun fact that brought laughter to last evening's solemn occasion was that Austin wore flip-flops and shorts during all four seasons—even through the snow banks.
Chandler was incredibly kind and sincere. There was depth to his caring. He had a winsome smile that could put anyone at ease. Chandler’s friends also recounted his funny side—he could manage to take a nap in any position. One of his friends described a time when Chandler, who is much taller than her, placed his arm on the crown of her head during a casual greeting. She became curious when the weight of his arm seemed to get heavier. She looked up, and there was Chandler, taking a quick nap.
UPDATE, November 29 11:30 am: Andrews University has posted "Courage and Strength," a tribute to Currie and Koerting. The article notes that memorial funds have been created in honor of the two young men.
Two memorial funds have been established to honor and remember Austin Currie & Chandler Koerting.
The Austin Currie & Chandler Koerting Memorial Fund is dedicated to supporting and furthering Seventh-day Adventist elementary and secondary education by benefiting the tuition needs of Hinsdale Adventist Academy students.
Checks can be made payable to:
Illinois Association
619 Plainfield Road
Willowbrook IL 60521On the memo line, indicate “AC Memorial Fund”
For credit card gifts, EFT/wire transfers or questions, please contact Mike Daum at mdaum@ilcsda.org or 630-856-2850.
The Andrews University Department of Engineering & Computer Science has established the Austin Currie and Chandler Koerting Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund to assist worthy engineering students. You may contribute online at andrews.edu/go/give/austinchandlermem.
Jared Wright is Managing Editor of SpectrumMagazine.org.
Image courtesy of Andrews University.
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