The dictionary defines production as “the action of making or manufacturing from components or raw materials, or the process of being so manufactured,” but we have found a more accurate definition: Matt Witten.
The loss of Matt is still difficult for us at The Forum to talk about. It is not one that is easily imagined. We do not know how we will be able to go on and produce our editions without him. Matt sat in the back of the Forum room for four years. He was often referred to as “the one with the sports page” or “the last one to get his articles in the folder,” but he was so much more than that. He was “the one who made us smile.”
Matt was often the one who would come into the room with things that consumed most of our attention, ranging from 40 mardi gras beaded necklaces, to a fidget that he had stolen from the green that nobody could quite figure out. Either way, he was sure to share their distraction, and sometimes his food, with everyone in the room. In doing so, Matt let himself into our hearts and souls, and now he will never stay there forever.
As our production chief, Matt made sure that every edition was flawless. He worked tirelessly during Forum to make sure there were no misplaced commas or bumping headlines.
“Matt’s impact, however, was so much greater. He could also be found leading the percussion on karaoke, solving cryptic crossword puzzles or playing hackysack in the hall, just waiting for it to be 12:40. We don’t know what we at the Forum will do next year without our reason to laugh and our inspiration to grow.”
