Karly Graham, Lansing State Journal
EAST LANSING – More than $85,000 has been raised to help start a mental health organization after an MSU fraternity member died last week.
The MSU chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, also known as Fiji, announced Zachary Waltman’s death in a post shared on Sunday, Sept. 20. According to an obituary, Waltman died on Sept. 16 at age 22.
“Zach was an unbelievable human who seemed to light up every single room he walked into,” the Fiji Instagram post says. “To those who knew him, you’d probably hear a lot of similar words to describe him. Charismatic, hilarious, wonderful, the energy in the room, and so much more.”
According to the GoFundMe page, Waltman’s family is hoping to raise the initial funds necessary to start an organization intended to make resources related to mental health and suicide prevention available for college students 24/7.
“Zach was a brother, a son, a passionate friend to so many, a student, an athlete, a hockey player, an avid sports fan, and someone who valued physical fitness,” the GoFundMe page says. “We want to carry his spirit of teamwork, strength, and caring for others…”
Through the organization, the family’s goal is to provide immediate crisis resources, prevention education, peer support and connections for professional care, according to the GoFundMe.
“In Zach’s memory, our family is coming together to create a lasting legacy centered on something we believe is deeply important: making sure college students have someone and somewhere to turn when they are struggling with mental health challenges,” the family wrote in the GoFundMe.
