Hank Nuwer Anti-Hazing Hero Award

Chamois Crookshanks is a junior Delta Gamma member at Washington & Jefferson College.  After attending a values-based leadership development program, Chamois identified chapter traditions that violated her sorority’s values and the dignity of members.  Instead of remaining passive, Chamois acted by confronting her chapter and providing leadership to realign her chapter’s behaviors. The courage and strength Chamois demonstrated empowered other members to overcome bystander behavior, address hazing traditions, and develop new approaches. Chamois continues to urge others to stand up for their values indicating the power of a group effort, “It is crucial to stand up to your beliefs and morals.  Tell someone.  Seek assistance because you cannot change a whole chapter on your own.  It is truly a team effort.”   Lisa Gregory, Collegiate Development Specialist for Delta Gamma Fraternity, applauds Chamois and notes her impact stating “It is clear that Chamois is making change in her chapter and on her campus.  Chamois’s leadership initiated broad support for values-based action amongst her chapter.  Chamois’ efforts exemplify values-based leadership.” Chamois currently serves her chapter as vice-president: social standards where she continues to educate and enforce Delta Gamma Fraternity’s zero-tolerance anti-hazing policy. 

Adam Hasner serves as the Florida House of Representatives Majority Leader.  In 2005 Representative Hasner authored and sponsored The Chad Meredith Act, one of the nation’s toughest anti-hazing laws.  The Chad Meredith Act established a punishment up to 5 years in jail for those who choose to engage in behavior that injures students in voluntary or involuntary hazing scenarios.  Representative Hasner understands the impact the legal system can make in preventing hazing stating "While education remains the most effective tool to reduce and eliminate hazing on campus, tough laws with real penalties will act as a deterrent."   He is passionate about his work commenting "I fought tirelessly to pass the Chad Meredith Act because no student should have to risk life or limb to join a fraternity or sorority and no parent should have to get a phone call at 3 a.m. telling them that their son or daughter has been injured or died as a result of a senseless hazing activity."  Sean Wagner, Associate Executive Vice President for Phi Delta Theta applauded Representative Hasner’s work stating “he has drawn a line in the sand creating definitive legal consequences.”

Outside of the legislature, Representative Hasner speaks to students regarding the long-term consequences of hazing.  He is an active member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and formerly served as a chapter adviser and Province President.  He serves on several boards in Florida including the Boca Raton Community Hospital, the Florida Research Consortium, Reach Out and Read, and the Florida-Israel Institute. 

Erin Huffman is the Director of Resource Development & Collegiate Development Specialists for Delta Gamma Executive Offices.  Erin provided the vision and leadership for Delta Gamma’s Social Responsibility Program that resulted in a strategic plan utilizing research and theory from the public health sector to guide the development of comprehensive programming for the entire international organization.  Erin advocated for a comprehensive approach infusing questions of dignity and values into all facets of Delta Gamma’s programming and operations.  Beth Searcy, Delta Gamma’s International President, commended Erin’s efforts commenting “Erin is well educated on both the theoretical and practical components of hazing.  She is interested in education and assessment which makes her holistic approach not only convincing and impactful but authentic.”  Erin challenges educators to fully embrace hazing prevention stating “Hazing is contrary to the mission of fraternal organizations.  By equipping and empowering students to move from inaction to action, we will ensure the relevance of the fraternal movement. It is our responsibility as educators to ensure our students are ready to act with integrity.”

Outside of Delta Gamma Erin volunteers for HazingPrevention.Org serving as multi-year member of the National Hazing Prevention Week Editorial Board, Crucial Conversations Guide Committee, and webinar presenter.  Prior to working for Delta Gamma Erin served Northwestern University as the Assistant Director of Fraternity/Sorority Life.

Steven Loya is a student at California State University, Chico and serves the Interfraternity Council as the Vice-President of Conduct, and the Kappa Sigma chapter as Vice President and New Member Educator.  Steven is a constant advocate, educator, and enforcer of anti-hazing policies.  He develops workshops for his members to review anti-hazing policies, investigates rumors and complaints of planned hazing activities, and adjudicates hazing violations in a thorough, fair, and consistent manner, according to his nominators.  He also lead an initiative to develop the campus’ first Anti-Hazing Week that includes an educational program, distribution of anti-hazing buttons, a showing of the movie HAZE, and PSA competition amongst campus organizations.\

"Steven has been tireless in bringing the anti-hazing message to the Greek Community at Chico State. He passion for this cause is seen in everything he does. He is a leader in our community and on our campus," said Connie Huyck, Program Coordinator for Greek Life, CSU-Chico.

Katie VanKampen is a recent graduate of DePaul University.  While a student at DePaul Katie co-founded Circle of Trust, a student organization which promotes the work of The Gordie Foundation whose mission is to provide today’s young people with the skills to navigate the dangers of alcohol, binge drinking, peer pressure and hazing.  Katie stated “My goal along with the others in Circle of Trust was to increase student’s awareness of hazing and its severity.  It was especially important to make certain that this would not be a problem on DePaul’s campus.”  Katie successfully developed and nurtured this student organization by growing its membership, promoting educational events in ways that ensured a large turnout, and modeling anti-hazing behaviors for her community.  Michael Waitz, Director of Jewish Programming for Alpha Epsilon Pi International Fraternity, commented “As a university leader, Katie’s most outstanding quality is her strong sense of values.  She conducts herself honestly and professionally.  She is the perfect example of an anti-hazing leader and a great role model of the community.”