Kari Bolton, contributing writer

Momorial is an event held every year in remembrance of Mo Meyer, a Delta Sigma Phi fraternity member who died in a car accident in November of 2008. The event this year featured a free concert headlined by Ben Rector, with proceeds going to the American Red Cross.

Delta Sigma
Phi and the Union Program Council hosted the benefit concert Thursday
night on Anderson Lawn. This year, the Alpha Xi Delta sorority also helped with the concert, which provided a way for people to
celebrate Meyer’s life. 

“There was an awesome turnout, and everyone was excited to be there,” said Casey Winkley, senior in elementary education. 

Students said they appreciated the fact that the concert was honoring Meyer and raising money simultaneously.

“It’s a great way to remember a chapter member that has passed away while still being able to help donate money for the Red Cross,” said Neely Michaelis, senior in early childhood education.

Momorial not only celebrates Meyer’s life, but also strengthens the bonds of brotherhood within the fraternity, according to one student.

“The
year after Mo passed away, the brothers wanted to put on an event to remember
Mo,” said Aaron Bisch, philanthropy chair of Delta Sigma Phi and junior in interior architecture and product design. “He was a happy-go-lucky guy, so they didn’t want to do a typical memorial,
but wanted people to have fun in his memory.”

Despite the fact that a majority of current, active fraternity members never got the opportunity to know Meyer, they all work together as a brotherhood to help his memory live on.

“This concert takes
a lot of time, so we have been in the planning process since before summer,” Bisch said. ”Each
guy is good at different things such as graphic design, marketing and PR, so
we recognize people’s strengths and delegate them in different ways.” 

This year’s featured singer and songwriter, Ben Rector, said he was pleased he could
perform for Momorial this year, especially since he has performed in Manhattan
before. 

“It seemed like a great
thing to do, and I am glad I was able to get to come back for this,” Rector said. 

Rector has not been in the music business a long time, but he always looks forward to
performing for others. He feels lucky to have the opportunity to be in the business. 

“You know, it has been really encouraging to have my career
grow and to have people enjoy my work,” Rector said. “It’s a small part of peoples’ lives, so I
feel fortunate to be a part of that.”

Bisch said that since Momorial began in 2009, Delta Sigma Phi
has been partnering with the UPC, to help bring a bigger name to the event. 

American Apparel shirts were available for sale at the concert for $20; donations were also collected, both of which benefited the Red Cross. 

Momorial has been held in
locations such as Manhattan City Park and various spots around campus, and Bisch said he hopes Momorial “continues to grow and gain even more support” in the future.

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