College may come with a lot of unknowns, but for senior pro-flight maintenance major Jaedyn Brown, some of the best parts of his journey at LeTourneau University were the surprises he never saw coming. He laughs when talking about the free time he does have, usually spent golfing even though he claims he is not very good at it. He grew up in the Seattle area and still lights up when he talks about the outdoors. “I love the mountains. I love the coast. I love that area,” Jaedyn said. “There are lots of outdoor activities and I enjoy being outdoors.” That sense of exploration ended up shaping his entire path to LeTourneau, even though he admits he did not plan a single part of it.
Jaedyn’s story of arriving at LeTourneau feels almost accidental, but he is convinced it was intentional in all the ways that mattered. In high school, he believed he would not need to go to college at all, then six weeks before fall semester his parents sat him down and told him they wanted him to attend. Around that same time, a couple from his church encouraged him to look into aviation maintenance instead of automotive work. “I just came to LeTourneau on a whim,” he said. “I did not look at the program. I did not tour. I just showed up and I am so grateful to be here. I think that is the Lord’s plan, not my own.” What changed everything for him was not the major itself but the people he met once he arrived. Their encouragement, integrity, and love for Christ created an environment that helped him feel invested in the campus rather than simply checking boxes. He said, “I think the people make this place great. They made me want to put in the hard work to be successful here at LeTourneau.”
Throughout his time on campus, Jaedyn has built strong relationships with faculty, friends, and the community around him. Even though he jokes that he may not remember much of the schooling in ten years, he knows he will remember the people who shaped him. One professor even welcomed students into his home during summer breaks when many could not return home. Experiences like these helped Jaedyn understand the kind of leader he wants to become, especially as an RA and the president of KZX. He has learned how to build community, create space for others, and encourage people who do not always share his same passion. Whether he is flying, fixing aircraft, playing intramural football, or golfing at night with glow-in-the-dark balls, Jaedyn has discovered that God often leads through unexpected paths. As he puts it, “I would tell myself not to limit what I think I can do. Trust the Lord first. If it is His will, go for it.”
