SEVERSON RUN WRAPS UP RED RIBBON WEEK

Both runners and walkers paused for a moment of silence in memory of
a residence hall assistant who was shot and killed nine years ago
before they began the race held in his honor.

Jay Severson, a graduate student and Wiley Hall counselor, was killed
by another student in 1996 after he found drugs in the student's room.

"Jay was a Christian man, and he was out to help every resident,"
Wiley Hall residential life manager Denton Sederquist, who organized
the event, said. Sederquist was on staff at Wiley when Severson was,
and knew Severson well. "He'd give you the shirt off his back."

Students, staff and faculty -- numbering 31 in all -- participated in
the walk/run Sunday morning, which raised about $300, which will go
to the Jay Severson Memorial Fund. The fund provides money for
education, training and counseling for the prevention of drug abuse.

The event was planned in conjunction with Purdue's recognition of Red
Ribbon Week. Several events were planned for students the previous
week to raise awareness of alcohol and drug abuse, including a
speaker and a dance. The race wrapped up the end of Red Ribbon Week.

Matt Callis, a resident assistant in Wiley Hall that is currently in
the same room that once housed Severson, said all the events were
important in raising that awareness, but especially this event. "This
event is even more important to help students realize this can get
out of control."

Junior Meg Shireman participated in the race because she wanted to
help raise awareness and she said, "I do respect my RAs and
appreciate what they do for us."

Sederquist picked Halloween weekend for the race, because he knows
that many students need an alternative activity. "Students are out in
their costumes engaging in risky behavior."

"(The race) is really a way for us: one -- to keep the memory of Jay
alive... we use it as a chance to recognize him and that drugs and
alcohol continue to be a problem for students," Ernest Poland,
director of university residences, said. He and his wife both walked
to Severson's honor.

"I think it's a good cause and you should be here," said Samana
Tejani, a sophomore and director of programming for the Residence
Hall Association. "I think it's something people need to know --
drinking and doing drugs is not the only way to have fun."