A group of students and faculty members met for the first time last week to brainstorm ways to honor an MSU student leader who died this summer.
The Charles Beachnau Memorial Committee discussed how to leave a permanent memorial of Beachnau on campus.
Beachnau, formerly the association director of ASMSU, died in June at age 43. He served as a captain in the Army and was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.
The committee is comprised of MSU’s undergraduate student government members, Cathy Neuman, assistant director of Student Life, and one of Beachnau’s former professors, Larry Carey, who teaches American thought and language.
Committee members are raising money toward a trust fund or a scholarship for Beachnau’s children, Audrey, 8, and Tyler, 10, if they choose to come to MSU.
Ideas so far include a charity event, can drive or book drive where students can donate one or two of their used books to the fund.
“I’m still so shocked, so whatever can be done, needs to be done,” international relations senior Bill Novotny said.
Carey contacted students in Beachnau’s American thought and language class to let them know something would be done to remember him, and they were more than welcome to help.
“Everyone enjoyed working with him,” Carey said. “He was a dedicated scholar, and he was approachable.”
The idea for the committee began at Beachnau’s funeral, when his friends and family thought of ways they wanted people to remember him.
Mike Mansor, College of Communication Arts and Sciences representative for ASMSU’s Student Assembly took the initiative and began the committee.
“Mainly why I wanted to be a part of this is because my father passed away when I was young, and I think his kids need help,” Mansor said.
“Anything we can donate for the kids would be helpful and extremely appreciated.”
Richard McNeil, Intramural Sports assistant director, also appeared at the meeting to lend his thoughts on how to commemorate Beachnau.
“He’s not your typical undergraduate student at MSU,” he said. “He was very impressive and known by the administration, and it was just a huge loss for the campus in the leadership he brought.”
Other suggestions were to form a scholarship for seniors who shared some of his qualities of leadership.
“I’ve been amazed at how many different things Charles was doing,” Neuman said. “He was extraordinary. I’d like him remembered.”
Neuman said Beachnau would want them to put a lot of their hard work into something they cared about - like raising money for someone they want to remember.
“Charles wouldn’t want you out there unless you had passion for it yourself,” she said.
For more information on donations, contact mansormi@msu.edu.
