Author: Hank Nuwer
Journalist Hank Nuwer tracks hazing deaths in fraternities and schools. Nuwer is the Alaska author of Hazing: Destroying Young Lives; Broken Pledges: The Deadly Rite of Hazing, High School Hazing, Wrongs of Passage and The Hazing Reader. In April of 2024 and April 2025 , the Alaska Press Club awarded him first place in the Best Columnist division.
He has written articles or columns on hazing for the Sunday Times of India, Toronto Globe & Mail, Harper's Magazine, Orlando Sentinel, The Chronicle of Higher Education and the New York Times Sunday Magazine. His current book is Hazing: Destroying Young Lives from Indiana University Press. He is married to Malgorzata Wroblewska Nuwer of Fairbanks, Alaska. Nuwer is a former columnist for the Greenville (Ohio)Early Bird and former managing editor of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Alaska.
Nuwer was named the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists columnist of the year in 2021 for his “After Darke” column in the Early Bird. He also won third place for the column in 2022 from the Indiana chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He and his wife Gosia, recently of Union City, Ind., have owned 20 acres in Alaska for many years. “The move is a sort-of coming home for us,” said Nuwer. As a journalist, he’s written about the Alaskan Iditarod sled-dog race and other Alaska topics. Read his musings in his blog at Real Alaska Daily--http://realalaskadaily.com
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/print/?id=364252
Excerpt
The second story was reported in Saturday’s Daily Herald. Five Prairie Ridge High School wrestlers were arrested on misdemeanor battery charges in what authorities say was hazing of teammates on multiple occasions.
Police said an investigation revealed allegations that several wrestlers restrained teammates while they were slapped and groped through their clothing.
If the charges turn out to be true, we are pleased to see Crystal Lake police taking this kind of thing seriously. We expect the high school to take it seriously as well. A “boys will be boys attitude” should not be tolerated. District policy bans hazing and says students found guilty of it face punishments that include suspension or expulsion.
An attorney for one of the boys says the allegations are nothing but “innocent adolescent horseplay.” No matter how the case turns out, it’s important to note, again, that hazing is not acceptable behavior in any form and parents and coaches need to make sure it doesn’t happen.
Two cases in the suburbs, but they unfortunately are not isolated. Parents, students, please wake up. There are serious ramifications. Is it really worth the trouble?
Salt Lake Tribune: a very important, rarely precedented
development.
Logan » Utah State University is not immune from civil liability in the hazing death of fraternity pledge Michael Starks, 1st District Judge Clint S. Judkins ruled Thursday.
An 18-year-old freshman from Salt Lake City, Starks died of alcohol poisoning after a Rush Week activity Nov. 20, 2008. More than a dozen Sigma Nu fraternity and Chi Omega sorority members were prosecuted for related misdemeanors.
Michael’s parents, George and Jane Starks, have settled civil claims against the Greek chapters’ national organizations, but they filed a lawsuit against the university alleging officials should have exercised better control over Greek life, ignored years of bad behavior among Sigma Nu members and owed a duty to students to warn them of the dangers of Greek life.
“Information is power,” George Starks said. “There is a world full of parents who need to know what is happening. We want to bring it into the light and illuminate it.”
Reed Stringham of the Utah Attorney General’s Office asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that Utah law shields the university from civil damages because the Starkses are alleging their son died as a result of “a negligent misrepresentation.” This is a circumstance where case law specifically allows governmental immunity, he wrote in court filings.
The Starkses’ lawyer, Charles Thronson of Salt Lake City, said USU officials have denied any responsibilityfor Michael Starks’ fate. Yet, the Sigma Nu chapter at USU had a long history of activities that required law enforcement intervention, he alleged. Police records indicate the presence of alcohol, drugs and explosives, as well as episodes of arson, assault, alcohol-induced suicide, disorderly conduct and more.
“The university knew of these activities — or should have known — and remained silent,” he said. “There was nothing but absolute silence.”
After hearing arguments, Judkins rejected the state’s immunity claim, allowing the lawsuit to move forward. USU general counsel Craig Simper declined to comment.
A student originally from France died at a birthday party. First reports indicate no mention of hazing.
Man found dead at CMU fraternity house
Monday, March 08, 2010
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A 20-year-old man was found dead in a Carnegie Mellon University fraternity house Sunday afternoon, according to a statement from the school.
Matthew Tembo, 20, was a student at University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and was at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house on Morewood Avenue for a birthday celebration, Pittsburgh police Detective Christine Williams said. An autopsy had not yet been performed late Sunday, and there was no cause of death.
Foul play is not suspected, the university statement said.
The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office said that Mr. Tembo is from France, though no city was provided.
He was a student at Carnegie Mellon during the 2007-08 year, according to the CMU statement.
The university is contacting his family and friends.
CMU is offering support to students from its Counseling and Psychological Services.
Congrats to Florida State. Kudos and applause to ZTA for sponsoring.