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KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 6, 2025

As comforting as it was to return to his hometown of Greensboro, Georgia, there was a point in time in which Spencer Bradley could only think about returning to Kennesaw State University.

Spencer carved his own path by choosing to attend school roughly 100 miles away from home. He quickly settled into Kennesaw State by becoming an active member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and aspiring to study in the Coles College of Business.

鈥淲e really felt that Spencer had found his happy place,鈥� said Patti Bradley, Spencer鈥檚 mother. 鈥淗e was doing well in the classroom and made great friends in his fraternity. It was the happiest he had ever been.鈥�

Remembered for his contagious laugh and propensity to steal the spotlight of any room he entered, Spencer often spent late nights helping his friends navigate difficult times while actively managing his own mental health struggles. Following his untimely passing in June 2022, his parents created the , which supports mental health programs for teens and young adults.

Recently, the foundation established the Spencer Bradley Foundation for Mental Health Scholarship to support full-time students pursuing mental health-related degrees. Anna Shoup, a student in the s and peer counselor in Kennesaw State鈥檚 , became the first to receive the scholarship in 2024.

Previously, the foundation provided funding to supply mental health resources to students in KSU鈥檚 Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

鈥淥ur goal is to normalize the conversation around mental health and to let others know that it鈥檚 O.K. to not be O.K.,鈥� said David Bradley, Spencer鈥檚 father. 鈥淲e鈥檙e starting to see that stigma slowly fade away. Now, we鈥檙e focused on helping people get the training so they understand where the conversations should be happening.鈥�

The foundation鈥檚 five-year commitment to fund mental health training for KSU鈥檚 fraternity and sorority community will provide Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for KSU鈥檚 four Greek council presidents and 34 fraternity and sorority chapter presidents, teaching skills to respond to signs of mental illness and substance use. In addition, the more than 700 students who join fraternities and sororities at 黑料网 each year will receive Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training 鈥攖hree simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. The gift also enables KSU to certify three MHFA and 10 QPR trainers to help reach more students with these critical resources.

According to the National Education Association, nearly 60 percent of college students today meet the criteria for at least one mental health problem. In addition to the resources provided by the Spencer Bradley Foundation for Mental Health, KSU offers peer-to-peer support, in-person counseling, and online 24-hour mental health support via Wellbeing@KSU.

鈥淎t Kennesaw State, we have a profound commitment to the mental wellbeing of our students, and these resources will help create a community where no student faces the battle alone,鈥� said Eric Arneson, vice president of student affairs. 鈥淲e are incredibly honored to continue Spencer鈥檚 legacy through the generosity of the Spencer Bradley Foundation for Mental Health. I can think of no better way to pay tribute to this special young man.鈥�

鈥� Story by Travis Highfield

Photos by Judith Pishnery and provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 黑料网 offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.