Remembering Andrew Sutter, Class of 2020

In the main hallway of the Texas A&M College of Medicine’s Bryan campus sits a decorated table with colorful banners, a basketball, marigolds, candles, bread, trinkets, a white coat and stethoscope and a photo of Andrew Sutter, Class of 2020. Sutter passed away last December from complications of diabetes.

All Souls Day, which is also known as the Day of the Dead in Mexican culture, is November 2. Sutter’s cohort, the Texas A&M College of Medicine Class of 2020, created the altar to honor his memory and help raise funds for the Andrew Sutter Memorial Scholarship.

The tradition of altars for the Day of the Dead, or El Día de los Muertos in Spanish, is seen across the Southwestern United States, having spread to the area from its origins in Mexico. The day is devoted to the departed, and altars are used to pay special tribute. Altars are assembled on grave sites and in homes, offices and any other area—like the busiest area in the College of Medicine.

Last year, the Class of 2020 made pins to wear on their own white coats in remembrance of their colleague. The class is placing all their pins next to the altar. Donations of $10 are requested by the class for pins for those who would like to carry Sutter’s memory with them also. All money raised will go to the scholarship in Sutter’s name.

Sutter passed away from complications from Type 1 diabetes, and the Class of 2020 is also drawing attention to the fact that November is Diabetes Awareness Month.

Sutter, a native of Portland, Texas, graduated from Gregory-Portland High School in 2012 as valedictorian and a National Merit Scholar. He loved basketball and played on the varsity team.

Sutter received a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering at Texas A&M University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He served as community service chair in the Pre-Med Society at Texas A&M. He was very active and loved mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding—or anything outside.

Sutter was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in high school. His friends and professors at the College of Medicine say he would want to help others learn more about the disease in his memory.

“We thank everyone for their support,” said Brendan K. Mueller, Texas A&M College of Medicine Class of 2020. “This memorial and these pins are a reminder of Andrew and of this disease and the impact it has on millions in our country.”

More information about the scholarship and about Sutter can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/andrew-sutter-memorial-fund