The fraternity brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha, with help from the West Virginia University Center for Black Culture and Research, have established a memorial account at Morgantowns WesBanco to benefit the family of the late Jerry Phillip Wilkins.

The 27-year-old sports management graduate student from Philadelphia died Saturday, Feb. 2, after being shot in the back near the corner of Inglewood and University Avenues. The investigation continues to find the shooter, according to local police.

“This has been just an incredible tragedy,”said Katherine Bankole, director of the Center.”Establishing a memorial fund to help the family through this devastating time seems like a small thing in comparison to this great loss. Our hope is that it will help the family, in some small measure, through their time of grief.”

Wilkins was a graduate assistant in the Office of New Student Services and also involved with the WVU PassKey Program, helping other minority students. He recently completed an internship with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was planning a career in the NFL or NBA . He would have graduated in May.

The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha coordinated a campus memorial service for Wilkins, attended by some 700, this week.

Checks should be made out to the”Jerry Wilkins Memorial Fund”and may be deposited at any WesBanco branch. Donations also can be mailed to the WVU Center for Black Culture and Research, 590 Spruce St., Morgantown, WV 26506 . The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha also will accept donations for the family.

For more information, contact the CBC &R, (304) 293-7029, or Jamil Branch with APA , (304) 296-9540.