By Lily Schneider
On Sunday, Oct. 2, a memorial was held in remembrance of former student and brother of Phi Mu Delta Fraternity Patrick Joseph Latsha.
The ceremony was held at 12:30 and was open to anyone on campus, with a candlelight vigil held at the campus fountain and stones placed nearby in his honor. President Jonathan Green and Reverend Scott Kershner spoke along with room for friends and family to speak out as well. To commemorate Patrick, there was a red maple tree, a garden and a bench with a plaque placed directly outside of the Phi Mu Delta house.
This was all made possible by $6,800 raised through a GoFundMe link, working with the President’s Office and the Office of Advancements, as well as extra funds generated from the Student Government Association. The extra proceeds will go towards the VIP Center or towards the Patrick Latsha Scholarship fund.
Patrick was a Susquehanna student who was heavily involved within the Phi Mu Delta fraternity, serving as the fraternity’s chaplain. He was a communications major who was extremely passionate about sports broadcasting and often tied his interests into the many things that he participated in.
“Pat was absolutely the strongest person I ever knew,” says junior Phi Mu Delta Philanthropy head, Jacob Rockoff. “He cared unconditionally for the world, and never asked for anything in return. Pat was a pillar of this community and is one of the reasons I’m involved in Greek Life.”
After becoming diagnosed with cancer in 2019, Patrick went into remission not long after. Throughout the adversity he faced, Patrick always displayed a smile and was there for everyone else. On Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, Patrick suffered cardiac arrest on campus. He was surrounded by his brothers and friends, and later by his family and loved ones.
At the end of the 2021-22 Academic Year, Patrick’s family received his communications diploma, honoring him as a graduate of Susquehanna University. His legacy will forever be commemorated through the memorial, which captures the memories of Patrick and remembers his name as the years progress.
“It was a humbling experience to see that everyone in this university really cares,” Rockoff expressed. “He is absolutely the type of student everyone here should strive to be like.”
Donations are still being accepted at this time through the link below. https://www.givecampus.com/schools/SusquehannaUniversity/patrick-latsha-22-memorial-tree/?a=1