Clark State College will host anti-hazing advocate Kathleen Wiant at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center Wednesday, September 13.
Wiant is the founder of the Collin Wiant Foundation, named for her son who died in 2018 as a result of hazing.
“I am honored to bring Kathleen Wiant to Clark State,” said Nina Wiley, assistant vice president of student affairs at Clark State. “I personally facilitate the anti-hazing training at Clark State for our student workers, leaders and athletes and their supervisors, advisors and coaches. I am passionate about sharing Collin’s story and educating our students, faculty and staff.”
Wiley said Clark State is committed to providing a safe learning environment at the college.
Collin Wiant was a loyal friend, competitive athlete, and dedicated brother. In the fall of 2018, he attended Ohio University where he pledged Sigma Pi Fraternity. A few, short weeks later, Collin tragically died from hazing.
“Hazing often builds so slowly that students don’t even realize it’s happening,” said Wiant. “This is because of something called ‘creeping normality;’ when objectionable change is accepted if it occurs in small increments.”
Wiant said hazing often starts with small, benign actions like being told what to wear or having to do someone’s laundry.
“As it builds, it can become demeaning, then degrading, even dangerous, and sometimes deadly,” she said.
Wiant, has become a fierce anti-hazing advocate. She is dedicated to providing education on hazing and courage to students at colleges and universities across the country, as well as through her TED talk.
She worked closely with legislatures to create and pass Collin’s Law: Ohio’s Anti-Hazing Law, and lobbies on Capitol Hill for federal anti-hazing legislation. Collin’s family has launched an Emmy-nominated documentary on Collin’s hazing tragedy entitled 45 Mill Street.
The mission of the Collin Wiant Foundation is to bring more kindness and courage to the world.
Wiant will speak at 1 p.m., Wednesday, September 13 at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center, 275 South Limestone Street in Springfield.
The event is free, and no tickets are required. RSVP is requested at: www.bit.ly/Anti-HazingEvent