Samuel Frederik Memorial (by his family)

Samuel Guy Frederik died unexpectedly at home in Southfield on March 4, 2020 from an accidental drug overdose. Sam’s Sociology professor at OCC described him as an engaged student. He sat up front and participated. He was very serious about school at this point in his life, aged 24, and was proud to be on the Dean’s List. He’d attended college right out of high school but it just wasn’t for him then; he needed to be ready. Sam was inquisitive, funny, kind and considerate. He was a prolific writer and reader and spoke fluent Spanish. He loved to travel and was passionate about the rights of others, particularly the LGBQT community, as a gay man himself. His plan was to transfer to Wayne State University after completing his two year degree at Oakland Community College and pursue a degree in Urban Studies. He had lived in Midtown and loved Detroit and hoped to ultimately attend graduate school and live in Washington D.C.

Sam had struggled with substance abuse in the past but had gotten his life together and we, his family, thought that was all behind him, but addiction is powerful. One bad decision took his life and the world lost a bright light and a good soul. This scholarship is to honor his memory and to assist a mature, perhaps returning, non-traditional student pursue their education and live their dreams. Go and soar!