Plea for Boston University: Give Honor Student Georgia Dray Honorary Degree After Tragic Suicide
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.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 19, 2023
April 15, 2023
The massive surge of support for Georgia proves that Boston University can no longer ignore her legacy. President Gilliam needs to see that we are not going away until this university finally offers the family the respect they deserve.
Reached 100 supporters
May 10, 2022
173 Comments
Please grant Georgia Dray her college degree posthumously. A intelligent young woman, whose life ended abruptly. Her goal in life was to serve people in need.
I was Georgia's Spanish tutor during her last year of school. She was an excellent student who loved to learn, and she deserves this.
As a BU undergrad, I never even heard about this terribly saddening passing. I can't believe BU has still remained silent. This is so disappointing.
As a proud parent of a BU student, I am hoping BU will grant Georgia Dray an honorary degree this spring. It would mean a lot to her family and the BU community at large.
We need to do better so we don’t lose any more angels like Georgia. We know we can if we work together as a team and stop treating mental health and suicides like stigmas. Mental health = physical health =academic health. Let’s keep it real. Time for some radical changes in mental health outreach and supports at BU and most college campuses.
Georgia, sweet Georgia.
We are deeply honored to share that Boston University will be recognizing our beloved Georgia on Wednesday, June 25th at 10:30 AM in the College of Arts and Sciences. This moment means the world to us. Rich and I are so grateful for the love, support, and encouragement we've received throughout our journey to make this recognition a reality. Thanks to the compassion and commitment of BU’s wonderful new administration and Associate Dean of Student Academic Life, Steve Jarvi, it is finally coming to fruition. Georgia’s light continues to shine, and we hope you’ll hold her in your hearts that day, as we will. ❤️
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Plea for Boston University: Give Honor Student Georgia Dray Honorary Degree After Tragic Suicide
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.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 19, 2023
April 15, 2023
The massive surge of support for Georgia proves that Boston University can no longer ignore her legacy. President Gilliam needs to see that we are not going away until this university finally offers the family the respect they deserve.
Reached 100 supporters
May 10, 2022
173 Comments
I met Georgia when I just transferred schools in 8th grade, I remember her being so she so kind, so sweet, and so smart. Sending my condolences to her family, Georgia will be missed I hope the university does what’s right by her family and allows her legacy to live on!
Please grant Georgia Dray her college degree posthumously. A intelligent young woman, whose life ended abruptly. Her goal in life was to serve people in need.
I was Georgia's Spanish tutor during her last year of school. She was an excellent student who loved to learn, and she deserves this.
As a BU undergrad, I never even heard about this terribly saddening passing. I can't believe BU has still remained silent. This is so disappointing.
As a proud parent of a BU student, I am hoping BU will grant Georgia Dray an honorary degree this spring. It would mean a lot to her family and the BU community at large.
We need to do better so we don’t lose any more angels like Georgia. We know we can if we work together as a team and stop treating mental health and suicides like stigmas. Mental health = physical health =academic health. Let’s keep it real. Time for some radical changes in mental health outreach and supports at BU and most college campuses.
Georgia, sweet Georgia.
We are deeply honored to share that Boston University will be recognizing our beloved Georgia on Wednesday, June 25th at 10:30 AM in the College of Arts and Sciences. This moment means the world to us. Rich and I are so grateful for the love, support, and encouragement we've received throughout our journey to make this recognition a reality. Thanks to the compassion and commitment of BU’s wonderful new administration and Associate Dean of Student Academic Life, Steve Jarvi, it is finally coming to fruition. Georgia’s light continues to shine, and we hope you’ll hold her in your hearts that day, as we will. ❤️
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I met Georgia when I just transferred schools in 8th grade, I remember her being so she so kind, so sweet, and so smart. Sending my condolences to her family, Georgia will be missed I hope the university does what’s right by her family and allows her legacy to live on!