Extended family and members of the Spider community gathered at the Cannon Memorial Chapel Sunday to remember the life of the late Richmond College student, Brendan Tevlin. Bryn Taylor from the Office of the Chaplaincy estimated there were over 350 people filling the pews.
Tevlin was shot and killed near his home in New Jersey over the summer in what appeared to be an act of terrorism. Ali Muhammad Brown, who has been in police custody since July 18, told authorities that Brendan’s murder was vengeance for American violence in the Middle East. While police initially painted the incident as a “targeted” homicide, Brown stated in court documents that his mission was “just kill.”
The Rev. Dr. Craig Kocher began the memorial by noting the music festival taking place that day on the Westhampton Green, and said it was appropriate given Tevlin’s well-known love for music. Close friend Benji Mavroudis recalled that Tevlin’s freshman dorm was “definitely the liveliest room in Marsh,” and cited the music Brendan would play as well as the “sheer amount of people” who hung out there. Tevlin also played the bagpipes for the Essex County Shillelagh Pipes & Drums.
Tevlin’s involvement in his high school community did not end there. He played lacrosse at Seton Hall Prep and went on to dress out as number 20 on Richmond’s club lacrosse team.
Throughout the memorial classmates Bobby McCurdy and Zach Giberson read anonymous tributes, which remembered Brendan as “a great friend, but an even better person.” A common theme of the gathering was the memory of “that Tev-style smile” as well as the way he “tackled every obstacle that came his way with an optimistic outlook.” One student, recalling that Brendan even found a way to smile during finals last year, remarked, “Why don’t all of us smile all the time? I mean it seems like such a simple concept, and no one could do it better than Tev.”
Dan Roberts, one of Tevlin’s professors, praised his former student for over ten minutes. “He was my friend,” Roberts said. “The relationship of a student and a teacher is not unlike that of a parent and a child.” Tevlin was the last student Roberts saw before leaving for the summer, and he commented on how thoughtful and engaged Tevlin was inside and out of the classroom. Roberts reflected on the void left from losing Brendan to such “blinding, random violence.”
Both of Brendan’s parents attended the memorial gathering. Michael Tevlin, Brendan’s father, said: “It was beautiful. Thanks to the whole Richmond community. We are so overwhelmed.” His mother said, “We really appreciate all the words that the kids put together.”
During the reception following the gathering, Dean Joseph Boehman told students, “Just keep in mind what he gave to you all, and give back to others. Recognize the impact that one person can have on so many – and you all have that in you.” Agreeing with what seemed to be the most prominent memory of Brendan’s time at University of Richmond, he added, “I think that’s the legacy: what can one person do to change a whole bunch of folks? Smile.”
Contact reporter Adam Gibson at adam.gibson@richmond.edu
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