Jackson
Bokenkamp

Jackson and I were part of the same study abroad trip in the Galápagos Islands in summer of 2024. I remember that for the first few days of the trip we didn’t talk much, but just a bit later we had all become very close and connected over many different things. He was incredibly passionate about landscape architecture and showed his profound understanding the topics we studied in a kind and supportive way. I have no doubt that he would have achieved amazing things in his career.

I remember one night on our trip all of our classmates wanted to go out and experience the night life of the city we were in. Jackson and I both felt tired from all the traveling we had done and decided to stay back at the hotel. We sat in the courtyard and talked for hours about all sorts of things. We talked about our experiences at college and what we liked most about U of O and what we wished was different. We talked about our majors and why we chose them, and what we wanted to do with our careers after we graduated. We talked about college football and I remember Jackson told me how he could name every recruit for the Nebraska football team because there were no other sports to follow from there. That time was very special to me because I had been worried about being able to connect with the other students on our trip. Jackson was very inviting, kind, and always made everyone feel included.

I’m so saddened to hear about his passing. I share my deepest condolences with everyone who knew him and was close to him. He was a great person and he will be missed greatly ❤️

Jackson and I studied abroad together in the Galapagos Islands in the summer of 2024. Jackson was one of the first students in the cohort that I met before the trip started, and his fun, outgoing, yet organized and Type-A personality (just like mine) allowed us to become friends quickly.

On this trip, Jackson made everyone that he met, from other UO classmates to residents of San Cristobal Island, feel welcomed by his presence. His calm, collected, and thorough demeanor lit up a room, and you could tell that he was so passionate about being on this trip. His passion for landscape architecture and sustainability immediately showed on this trip, as he was often the last one to leave the University at night on days that we were working on a project or a presentation.

In the months following our trip to the Galapagos, Jackson and I would often run into each other on campus, and I knew that my day would be made when I would chat with him for a couple of minutes about how school, family, and life were going. He knew how to make everyone he met feel valued, and he for sure was a dreamer who could probably do 10 jobs and travel to every country at once if he was able to! The news of his passing absolutely breaks my heart, and I’m sending my deepest love and condolences to his family.

Jackson and I studied abroad together in the Galápagos Islands in the summer of 2024. Jackson was one of the first people from our cohort whom I met, and he instantly gave off a fun yet very organized, type-A personality like mine, so we clicked instantly! He made everyone we met on that trip, from classmates to residents of San Cristobal, feel welcomed by his warm and inviting presence.

Jackson had a very strong work ethic, and his passion for sustainable landscape and design immediately showed on this trip, with him often being the last one to leave the university so he could finish the project we were working on that day. I can say with full certainty that, of the 15 or so UO students on this trip, Jackson put in the most effort, thoroughness, and clarity into the assignments and presentations, ultimately showing how much he wanted to help make a difference on the islands.

Months following our trip to the Galápagos, Jackson and I would see each other on campus all the time, and it was always a highlight of my day when we would stop and chat for a few minutes while we passed each other. Jackson was a dreamer, and he was the instant light in every room he stepped into. The news of his passing breaks my heart, and I am sending all of my love and deepest condolences to his family.

Jackson and I decorated Rishi’s dorm with balloons for his 19th birthday. We spent a few hours and were so light headed, but it was a blast. He was so kind hearted and made the people around him so happy. He will be missed ❤️❤️.

It was a joy to know Jackson, to be in the same cohort throughout the BLA program, to be on the ASLA board together, go to New Orleans, to collaborate with him on a project, and to be his friend. I’m very grateful to have experienced many moments of joy, laughter and celebration together, and I’m also grateful that his presence was there during moments of stress and difficulty.

Jackson was a very bright, radiant being who carried an enthusiasm for life that I feel will continue to emanate and be reflected in the lives of those who knew him. I’ll always remember his passion for landscape architecture, his deep appreciation for the Nebraska grasslands, his positive spirit, and his kind smile and laughter.

This photo was taken of the ASLA board at First Friday with the duck!

With love,
Estella