OU community mourns the loss of highly regarded scholar and student leader
Cody Petzold
Cody Petzold, a 21-year-old senior studying Human Resources Development at Oakland University, died from severe head trauma following a motor vehicle accident at a construction site near the entrance ramp at 12 Mile Road and I-75 on Friday morning, Dec. 26.
Funeral arrangements have been completed by Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home in Clarkston. A public viewing is scheduled for 3-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 30. An online guestbook has been set up at: http://www.wintfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1486188 and the family is asking that any donations be made to the Oakland University Gender and Sexuality Center.
“Cody was a highly regarded scholar and student leader at Oakland University and the news of his death has saddened our campus community,” said Glenn McIntosh, interim vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this most difficult time.”
Petzold graduated valedictorian from Holly High School according to his mother in a televised report. At Oakland as part of the Honors College, he earned a 2011 Credit Union One COS Award that covered his freshman year tuition, room and board and books and earned a 3.99 GPA during his first year on campus, according to Honors College Dean Graeme Harper, Ph.D.
"Cody was an academic peer mentor for University Housing last year and served as a resident assistant this year," said Jim Zentmeyer, Director of Housing. "He was always heavily invested in the success of the students he served."
Petzold was vice president of the University’s Gay Straight Alliance and served as a peer mentor for Oakland’s Center for Multicultural Initiatives. He also gained valuable work experience as an executive assistant at the Rochester Regional Chamber and was a former Chrysler Corporation intern, according to his Facebook profile.
Cody Petzold, a 21-year-old senior, died from severe head trauma following a motor vehicle accident on Friday morning, Dec. 26.
Created by Colleen Campbell (cjcampbell@oakland.edu) on Saturday, December 27, 2014 Modified by Colleen Campbell (cjcampbell@oakland.edu) on Monday, January 5, 2015 Article Start Date: Saturday, December 27, 2014
