Ohio University’s chapter of Phi Delta Theta held a candlelight vigil on Monday night in memory of the students who were killed in the Michigan State University shooting on Feb. 13.
Around 8 p.m. on Feb. 13, three students were killed and five more were injured in a shooting on MSU’s East Lansing campus. One of the students killed was Brian Fraser. Fraser was the president of the Phi Delta Theta chapter at MSU.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., OU students gathered on the front porch of OU’s Phi Delta Theta chapter house to say prayers and pay their respects to the victims of the shooting.
Seth Totten, a sophomore studying engineering management and OU’s Phi Delta Theta Chapter president, welcomed those in attendance.
“It’s really all about remembering the lives that we lost,” Totten said. “We’re just trying to raise awareness for senseless violence.”
Totten said the shooting has grounded his chapter and they have continued to support one another during the difficult time.
Mitch Mollison, a sophomore studying journalism, spoke to those in attendance about being a Michigan native and growing up as an MSU fan.
Mollison said he quickly fell in love with the school his parents attended when he first visited the campus as a 7-year-old. He said he had recently visited loved ones at MSU and he never thought it would be the last time he would see the university where he developed so many lifelong memories operating normally.
“I'm absolutely heartbroken for the students, faculty and staff at MSU,” Mollison said. “I'm shaken for the three victims; I’m shaken for the five people that are still fighting for their lives in the hospital.”
Throughout his speech, Mollison stressed how important it was that everyone affected should find a safe place to grieve.
Anna Proctor, a freshman studying musical theater, was in attendance at the vigil. She said she is from a rural town near Detroit, Michigan, and upon graduating high school, many of her friends attended MSU.
Proctor said she was on the phone with her friends from MSU the day of the shooting.
“My heart is in Michigan State—a piece of my heart is here now,” Proctor said. “I think just having everyone come together, it doesn't matter where you're from. Obviously, I have a personal connection to it but I think just being the age that we are and all being students, you feel connected to it in that way.”
Mollison encouraged those at the vigil to continue connecting with people and let them know how important they are.
“That Spartan-strong love is never going to go away. Give each other hugs. Tell your loved ones how much you love them,” Mollison said. “Meet new people, connect with your classmates that you’ve never known before.”
In collaboration with Fraser’s parents, the Phi Delta Theta Foundation is sponsoring a Presidential Scholarship for Michigan Beta. To donate to the scholarship visit the campaign’s website.
