Volume 124 Issue 134
kansan.com
Friday, April 13, 2012
Study says an aspect of business overlooked in classes
XANSAN
SS
GREEK
Student's memory honored among Greeks
RACHEL SALYER
rsalver@kansan.com
The Third Annual Jason Wren Initiative reminded the Greek community of the importance of moderation and understanding the effects of alcoholism yesterday evening in Budig Hall.
The initiative, hosted by University chapters of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Delta Gamma Sorority, is designed to honor Jason Wren's memory. Wren was a freshman SAE pledge who died of alcohol poisoning March 8, 2009.
Toren Volkmann, a recovering alcoholic and author of "From Binge to Blackout," shared with the audience his own story of alcoholism and the idea that it can happen to anyone. He showed pictures of his own party experiences. Wren's name, and the names of the event sponsors, were displayed on a banner hanning behind him.
The event was open to everyone free of charge, but event chair and SAE member Austin Wagner said that, of the about 700 people in attendance, the majority were sorority members. In the past, SAE asked 20 percent of all members from University sororities and fraternities to attend. Wagner said SAE did not do so this year because of a miscommunication.
Volkmann, who started drinking at age 14, said he never would have expected himself to become an alcoholic.
"I was from a normal family with a decent recipe for a very good outcome," Volkmann said, "but once I put myself in the category and started exhibiting that behavior, I was just as likely to become an alcoholic as anyone."
Wren talked about having repeated blackouts even though he thought he was drinking socially. Eventually, those blackouts led to his alcohol dependency.
Angela Guist, a freshman from Ottawa, said she and her friends attended the event to support
Before dismissing the audience, Chapin McLane, SAE president, reminded those in attendance that the point of the conference was not to tell students to be sober, but to ask them to drink responsibly.
their sorority, Sigma Kappa, which donated to the event.
"I have unfortunately blacked out a few times, and it's not a good feeling when you have no idea what happened," Guist said. "People say it's a part of the experience, but listening to him makes you think of how dangerous it can be."
The initiative started in 2010 and continued after Wren's father, Jay Wren, filed a wrongful death suit against the fraternity.
Wagner said he hopes to see the organization's efforts continue.
"Even after we're all gone, the message will still need to be said," he said.
CHRIS NEAL/KANSAN
Jason would have been a senior
Toren Volkmann, author of "From Binge to Blackout" speaks to students in the Greek community about alcoholism Thursday night at Budig Hall. Volkmann was the guest speaker for the annual Jason Wren Initiative which was created to spread awareness about drinking and alcoholism after the death of Jason Wren in 2009.
SEE WREN PAGE 6
CLASSIFIEDS 11 CRYPTOQUIPUS 4 SPORTS 12
CROSSWORD 4 OPINION 5 SUDBOK 4
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan
Don't forget
Today is National Scrabble Day. So if you've got a seven-letter word and don't mind upsetting a chum, thrown it down and don't apologize.
Today's Weather
Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, some possibly severe.
Avoid golf courses for now.