Just a little over 2 years ago, a shining light lost her flame - a bright, passionate & loving 21 year old student named Georgia Dray.

Georgia’s parents & family,friends and the BU community of fellow students, parents, alumni, professors asked Boston University Board of Trustees, President Brown and the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences to award Georgia Dray an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Boston University. President Brown refused and has since retired.

We now have a new most distinguished president who seems to value the mental health and legacy of our terriers much more : Dr. Melissa Gilliam. So we are asking one more time hoping Boston University will finally approve this small but important request to honor Georgia and to bring some comfort to her grieving family and friends.

Although Georgia sadly lost her battle with her mental health challenges even though she had reached out for help, Georgia was never prouder to attend Boston University and call herself a terrier. She had attended for most of the pandemic and was a rising senior in excellent standing. Students, alumni and professors were surprised when the past BU president turned a deaf ear to her parent's simple request and nothing was done or even written to honor her memory.

Just before her tragic suicide, Georgia was accepted into the Psy Chi International Honor Society and the London BU Study Abroad program for her final year.

We recognize the mental health crisis in our country and at Boston University like all colleges now. Honoring Georgia will remind all her fellow students that she mattered and that we need to do more to reach out to anyone hurting especially our students.
988 is still not shared openly at BU campus as the nation just celebrated the first 988 anniversary on 9/8/24.

Please do not allow Georgia to just become another statistic. Her life mattered.
Take a moment and sign this petition now and add any comments you wish. Thank you so much.

“ 

When we invest in the mental health and well-being of every student, we are accepting that mental health = physical health = academic success. “
Alessandra Kellermann - BU Parent and Alumnus, Founder of BU Parents United. ( Her son is also a BU graduate, NYC attorney)

If you know anyone hurting or you yourself are, please call or text 988. You are not alone. You matter. We need you here with us. We care about you. Please hold on.