The University of Georgia Foundation has matched the first $50,000 donated to Trex’s scholarship by his generous friends. Please help us reach an even higher goal of $150,000.

Walther Trexel “Trex” Bolick IV (BBA ‘16) passed away Tuesday, July 9 at the age of 30. Trex was born January 23, 1994 in Augusta, GA where he spent his formative years in the company of his loving parents (Patricia and Trexel) and brother (Patrick, BBA ’20). He took Chesley Cannon to Cold Stone Creamery for their first date in the spring of 2010, and over the course of nearly 15 years together, they never looked back. They were married in March of 2019 and together welcomed two daughters to the world, Madeline McNair born April 2022, and Sarah Neeley born June 2024. There was nothing that made Trexel light up like spending time with his girls. His wife and daughters were his greatest joy and deepest priority.

Trex lost his earthly battle to the adverse impacts that antidepressant medication had on his nervous system, body, and mind. As he tried to rid his body of antidepressant medication, he endured severe physical and psychological pain, oftentimes feeling like a prisoner in his own body. He specifically requested that we let his story be known in a mission to provide education in an area not often discussed and mitigate the severe pain that these circumstances can create.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are medication prescribed for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Per Dr. Adrian James, president of Royal College of Psychiatrists, “Antidepressants can save lives, and most people will not need to take them for more than six to twelve months, but when a patient does come off antidepressants, they may experience both physical and mental withdrawal symptoms which is why it is usually best to stop them slowly.”

On behalf of Trex, we implore others to act with extreme care and perform due diligence with doctors when loved ones may decide to start or stop taking antidepressant medication.

Trex’s mission is to break down the walls of the stigma when openly discussing mental and physical health, specifically antidepressant withdrawals so that we can all collectively come together in supporting and educating individuals and their families who are in need. For more information, here are two links describing the progress the medical field has made, as well as a book on the subject: RCP: Withdrawing from Antidepressants and Harvard: Going off Antidepressants, Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America: Whitaker, Robert: 9780307452429: Books – Amazon.ca

Other than his family and friends, Trex loved nothing in the world more than the University of Georgia. He attended UGA from 2012 to 2016, ultimately graduating with a BBA in Finance from the Terry College of Business and embarking on a career in banking. Throughout his time in Athens, Trex provided immense joy and laughter to those around him. He truly touched the lives of many people.

In order to preserve Trex’s imprint on the University forever, his family, fellow UGA classmates, and close friends are endeavoring to honor him by raising a $50,000 endowed scholarship in his name. Although an ambitious goal, we have no doubt that we will be successful in this campaign, almost entirely due to the universal love that those who met Trex have for him.

We will be deeply humbled, honored, and grateful for any level of support that can be provided as we pursue this goal in honoring Trex in a way he deserves.

If you have additional questions about supporting the scholarship fund or if your company may provide a matching gift, email gafund@uga.edu. Donations to the University of Georgia Foundation for the Trex Bolick Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.