Spring Break
OSU says goodbye to philosophy student
Nicholas Faas, 24, died in two-vehicle accident on Highway 99
Anneke Tucker
Issue date: 5/23/08 Section: News
The 24-year-old had just been accepted into the Sapsik'wala Masters in Education program at the University of Oregon and was looking forward to becoming a high school teacher.
"[Faas] was a bright person. He wrote one of the more passionate, evocative papers in [my] class on a death-related experience in his life," said professor Courtney Campbell, one of Faas' instructors. "I will not be able to forget his story."
Faas' passion for helping disadvantaged students or minorities was obvious, especially through his work with the Youth Education Program at the Confederated Tribes.
Matthews describes his college internship with them as "one of the most influential things Nick did for his community. Youth loved Nick… His imprint on our lives will be eternal."
Faas tutored students during and after school and served as a role model and mentor for the students, as well as a chaperone for many field trips and camps.
Several of the students who worked with Faas told stories at the ceremony of how he affected their lives.
The speakers at the service told stories of the compassion that Faas passed on to those he worked and shared time with.
"He was hard-looking," Allen said, referring to Faas' completely tattooed arms. "But he was a teddy bear, always surrounded by friends."
The tough 5-foot-10-inch, tattooed figure might have been intimidating, but it belied the deeper character of the person within: complex, highly intelligent, selfless thinker who chose his words carefully.
"He was a total badass," La Plante recalls. "But he made you think twice and look twice."
"Nick is hilarious," said Stephanie Kragness, a senior in education at Western Oregon University and a close friend of Faas. "Being a philosophy major, we often got into deep conversations about life… Everyone sought Nick's advice."
Two of Faas' best friends, Jordan Evans and Asa Kerr, both of Corvallis, agree that he was "the true definition of a friend. He wasn't violent or liked to fight, but… he was ready to stand up against injustice and protect his own, no matter what."
"[Faas] was a bright person. He wrote one of the more passionate, evocative papers in [my] class on a death-related experience in his life," said professor Courtney Campbell, one of Faas' instructors. "I will not be able to forget his story."
Faas' passion for helping disadvantaged students or minorities was obvious, especially through his work with the Youth Education Program at the Confederated Tribes.
Matthews describes his college internship with them as "one of the most influential things Nick did for his community. Youth loved Nick… His imprint on our lives will be eternal."
Faas tutored students during and after school and served as a role model and mentor for the students, as well as a chaperone for many field trips and camps.
Several of the students who worked with Faas told stories at the ceremony of how he affected their lives.
The speakers at the service told stories of the compassion that Faas passed on to those he worked and shared time with.
"He was hard-looking," Allen said, referring to Faas' completely tattooed arms. "But he was a teddy bear, always surrounded by friends."
The tough 5-foot-10-inch, tattooed figure might have been intimidating, but it belied the deeper character of the person within: complex, highly intelligent, selfless thinker who chose his words carefully.
"He was a total badass," La Plante recalls. "But he made you think twice and look twice."
"Nick is hilarious," said Stephanie Kragness, a senior in education at Western Oregon University and a close friend of Faas. "Being a philosophy major, we often got into deep conversations about life… Everyone sought Nick's advice."
Two of Faas' best friends, Jordan Evans and Asa Kerr, both of Corvallis, agree that he was "the true definition of a friend. He wasn't violent or liked to fight, but… he was ready to stand up against injustice and protect his own, no matter what."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Kathy Cole
posted 6/05/08 @ 5:43 PM PST
My name is Kathy Cole and I am Nick's Mother. I wanted to thank you for printing this story. It really touched my heart. It is something that I will keep forever. (Continued…)
KathyCole
Kathy Cole
posted 6/05/08 @ 5:52 PM PST
My name is Kathy Cole. I am the proud Mother of Nicholas Faas. I wanted to thank you for writing these wonderful words. They touched my heart and I will keep them with me forever. (Continued…)
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