Friday, March 13, 2009
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Memorial service for Jason Wren
Members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity hold a memorial service for Jason Wren, a 19-year-old freshman from Littleton, Colo., who was found dead in the fraternity house Sunday afternoon.
As the sun set, the bells from the Campanile rang and the flag of Sigma Alpha Epsilon flew at half-staff.
Several hundred people gathered on the lawn of SAE, 1301 West Campus Road, in near-freezing temperatures Thursday evening to commemorate the life of Jason Wren, who died in the house Sunday.
After the ceremony began with a prayer and a moment of silence, members of SAE shared memories of Jason Wren, who was a 19-year-old freshman.
Patrick Stacy, vice president of SAE, said he had known Jason Wren for about a month. He said the two became instant friends when Wren moved into the house. Stacy said he hoped some positive results would come from Wren’s death.
“We must continue to look after our friends while they are intoxicated,” Stacy said. “We must be our brother’s keepers — if not, this death will have been in vain.”
Mark Giuliani, an SAE member, said Jason Wren had the ability to become best friends with everyone he met.
Giuliani said before Jason Wren went to bed on Saturday night he was “smiling and giving out high fives like it was his job.”
Jay Wren, the father of Jason, introduced Jason’s mother, older sister and girlfriend. Jay Wren said Jason’s younger sister “couldn’t bring herself to be here.”
“I can’t tell you what a shock it was for me, as I’m sure it was for all of you,” Jay Wren said.
Jay Wren thanked members of the fraternity and the University community for their support. During his tribute, Jay Wren read an e-mail he had received from a former member of the KU greek community, and another from a friend of Jason’s in Colorado.
Jason’s father asked the fraternity again to make SAE a dry house in honor of his son.
“Please don’t raise a glass to my son,” Jay Wren said. “I want you to instead, in honor of Jason, to say ‘In honor of Jason Wren, I put my drink down.’” Jay Wren said.
Many students from the greek community attended the service.
Dane Woodlridge, St. Louis sophomore, said he and other members of Delta Chi attended the ceremony to show their support.
Wooldridge said it was “definitely reasonable” for Jay Wren to ask SAE to become a dry house.
“I think when something to this extent happens, everyone does consider it,” Wooldridge said.
The KU Lacrosse club also attended the memorial service and donned their team jerseys in honor of Jason Wren, who was a member of the club.
Kevin Munch, Denver sophomore and lacrosse club member, said Jason Wren was well loved by his teammates.
Munch said alcohol was always an issue at the University.
“But when something like this happens, it makes it more of a reality,” Munch said.
Students who did not know Jason Wren were also present for the ceremony.
Katie Schaetzel, Lawrence sophomore, said she thought Jason Wren’s death affected the student body at large, not just the greek community.
“It’s sad it had to hit so close to home,” Schaetzel said.
Schaetzel said there was a widespread problem of drinking on campus, and the blame couldn’t be placed solely on SAE or the greek community.
“It happens in every fraternity and every sorority and residence hall,” Schaetzel said.
Schaetzel also said she thought someone from the University should have spoken at the service.
“I don’t know what our leaders of KU have been doing,” Schaetzel said. “Maybe people are scared or maybe it’s embarrassing for KU nationally.”
Wren’s funeral is scheduled for Monday in Littleton, Colo.
— —Edited by Sam Speer
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Comments
Jason Wren’s life commemorated
As a parent, I don't have a problem with KU's confidentiality policy. During enrollment, we said ... you sign the form for us to have access, and we'll help pay for college. It's all about the parent - child communication and expectations.
However, this is an excellent example of why the drinking age needs to be lowered to 18 ... maybe for 3.2 again. If there is opportunity to socially drink outside of private residences, where there is somewhat of adult supervision, the bar actually closes, and the kids aren't drinking 10 feet away from bedrooms (that's a concern for parents of girls!), the number of kids who are going hog wild would decrease. The low-cost, flat-rate taxi service in Lawrence is great. Take the "glory" out of getting smashed. www.ChooseResponsibility.org>-
- Posted by jandana on March 14, 2009 at 9:16 a.m.
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Too bad SAEs still don't get it: “We must continue to look after our friends while they are intoxicated.” Really? You wouldn't say that if he was REALLY your brother. How about the SAEs get some real leadership and make drinking uncool, create an environment were intoxication has consequences, like fines or three times and you're out. Grow up, guys.
Jason Wren’s life commemorated
Let me get this straight. The man lived in the frat house for 10 days. He was kicked out of a dorm for what we now know were multiple alcohol abuse violations. His dad says that he has had an alcohol problen since 9th grade. The face book page shows multiple pics of him drinking in high school and at his dorm. He used a fake ID at the restaurant. His file from the dorm was sealed, but he did not tell the dad or the frat the truth. Sounds a lot like a silent death wish and a deep seeded problem. Not sure the amount of alcohol he had that night matters. This was going to happen sooner or later if he did not stop or did not ask for help, or if dad, knowing of the problem, did not intervene. From what I have read, its the school's fault and the frat's fault according to the family. But the school knew him for a semester and the frat knew him for 10 days. His family knew him for 19 years. Don't know, but i guess that is where I would look for answers
Jason Wren’s life commemorated
If you think he had a silent death wish, you apparently did not know him. Jason was a great friend and loved by many. Please do not think you know him by reading about him in articles. Thank you.
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