Purdue News
Purdue News
|
|
April 12, 2004 Purdue plans alcohol abuse risk awareness programs with Grand AlternativeWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Grand Prix Convocation, the first of two events designed to address high-risk drinking behavior, will take place today (Monday, 4/12). Grand Prix Convocation, sponsored by Purdue student leaders, the Office of the Dean of Students and local law enforcement officials, starts at 7 p.m. in the Elliott Hall of Music. Mark Sterner, the driver in a fatal alcohol-related car crash, will give the keynote address after introductory remarks by Morgan Burke, Purdue's athletic director. Grand Prix week is April 19-25. Grand Prix Alternative is a series of events providing alcohol-free entertainment. Burke will speak about Grand Prix week and encourage students to be safe and responsible while celebrating the event. Sterner, a nationally known speaker, will relive the most terrible night of his life in order to help students better understand how a single bad decision can forever alter the course of a person's life. Details about his presentation can be found online. Sterner suffered multiple injuries and was sentenced to 23 months in a Florida prison for three felony charges stemming from the deaths caused by the accident he had while driving drunk during spring break in his senior year in college. Three of his fraternity brothers died in that accident, and Sterner has devoted himself to spreading the message that drinking and driving don't mix and that one careless choice can ruin countless lives. He has been a keynote presenter for numerous college and fraternity organizations and was recently named "Campus Activities Magazine" Reader's Choice Award of 2004 Speaker of the Year. Thursday (4/15) the Grand Prix Community Standards Panel will begin at 8 p.m. in Stewart Center, Room 218, with moderator Andrew Robison, Purdue assistant dean of students. The panel will include James A. Gothard, Lafayette attorney and Purdue business law instructor; Sgt. John Copeland, Indiana State Excise Police; Deputy Chief Steve Dietrich, Purdue University Police Department; Chief Dan Marvin, West Lafayette Police Department; and Steve Akers, Purdue's executive associate dean of students. The Grand Prix Community Standards Panel gives Purdue students an opportunity to ask questions to local law enforcement, lawyers and representatives of the Office of the Dean of Students. A presentation highlighting the top 10 questions most commonly asked by students will be given about law enforcement and university regulations. Afterward, the panel will field questions from the student audience. The Office of the Dean of Students, Purdue Panhellenic Association and the Purdue Interfraternity Council are co-sponsoring both events. Writer: Reni Winter, (765) 496-3133, rwinter@purdue.edu Sources: Andy Byerly, Office of the Dean of Students, (765) 532-9488, byerlyja@purdue.edu Brandi Nichols, Purdue Panhellenic Association, (765) 494-2712, bnichols@purdue.edu Bob Adler, Purdue Intrafraternity Council, (765) 494-2717, radler@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu Note to Journalists: Journalists are welcome to both events. To schedule an interview with Mark Sterner or any of the other speakers or panelists, contact Reni Winter at (765) 496-3133, rwinter@purdue.edu.
|
