'Alcohol Awareness Week' Illustrates Perils of Excessive Drinking

Published 10.11.2000

News
Student News

A man who served time in prison for a Spring Break 1994 auto accident that took the lives of three fellow students will be a featured speaker during "Alcohol Awareness Week" Oct. 16-22 at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Mark Sterner received felony convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol in an accident at Sanibel Island, Fla., that resulted in the deaths of three passengers − his fellow fraternity brothers. Now, he speaks to high school and college students around the country about the tragic consequences of drinking and driving.

Sterner will present "DUI: A Powerful Lesson," at 8 p.m. in Penn's Inn in the Bush Campus Center at Penn College on Wednesday, Oct. 18. It's just one of many events during the week that will focus on alcohol abuse and underage drinking by students.

On Monday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a "Be Wiser" information fair in the lobby of the Bush Campus Center will feature many displays including: "Alcohol 101," a casket, "Legal Consequences of Drinking" (campus police), "Alcohol and Health," beer goggles (simulating intoxication), "Alcohol and Academics" (Academic Support Services), the state Department of Health and Wise Options. There will be a contest for alternatives to drinking, and door prizes will be awarded.

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 4:30 p.m., a mock DUI-related accident will be staged at the loading dock of the Bush Campus Center, featuring participation by local police and emergency-services personnel.

On Thursday, Oct. 19, Dr. Barry Jackson of Bloomsburg University will present a faculty/staff colloquium entitled, "How Faculty and Staff Can Combat Student Drinking." The program will be held at Penn's Inn at 3:30 p.m. On that same day, from 7:30 to 11 p.m., an Open Gym for Penn College students will be held at the Bardo Gymnasium, with free food provided.

On Friday, Oct. 20, Penn College students are invited to attend a "Happy Hour" at Penn's Inn that will feature a "mocktails" competition for nonalcoholic drinks, followed by a show presented by comedian Dean Edwards at 9 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 21, a "Fun Run, Walk and Roll" is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at the Bush Campus Center. The 1.5-mile run and/or walk around campus also will feature a Halloween costume contest, prizes and giveaways. The entrance fee for students is $5; for faculty/staff and the public, the fee is $7. A portion of the proceeds will benefit research regarding the prevention of alcohol misuse on college campuses.

On Sunday, Oct. 22, the movie "28 Days," in which Sandra Bullock portrays a woman sentenced to a stint in a rehabilitation clinic for DUI, will be shown at 8 p.m. in Penn's Inn.

In addition, a tombstone display will be on the lawn of the Bush Campus Center all week, representing alcohol-related deaths among students nationwide. For more information, contact Karen Lehman, Alcohol Awareness Week chairman at Penn College, at (570) 326-3761, ext. 7036.