Anti-hazing advocate Kathleen Wiant to speak at Clark State College

Anti-hazing advocate Kathleen Wiant will be hosted at Clark State College’s Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center next Wednesday, September 13. Wiant founded the Collin Wiant Foundation, which she named after her son after he died as a result of hazing five years ago.

In an article posted on Clark State College’s website, assistant vice president of student affairs Nina Wiley was quoted on Wiant’s appearance at the school, saying, “I am honored to bring Kathleen Wiant to 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 also noted that Clark State College is dedicated to providing students with a safe learning environment, free from hazing.

Kathleen Wiant’s son, Collin, is remembered as a dedicated brother, loyal friend, and competitive athlete. He was attending Ohio University when he pledged Sigma Pi Fraternity in the fall of 2018. After only a few weeks, Collin was dead as a result of the fraternity’s hazing practices.

Wiant talked about how hazing can quickly get out of control, saying, “Hazing often builds so slowly that students don’t even realize it’s happening. This is because of something called ‘creeping normality;’ when objectionable change is accepted if it occurs in small increments.”

She noted that hazing often will start with small, innocuous actions such as being given a dress code or a list of chores. She went on to say, “As it builds, it can become demeaning, then degrading, even dangerous, and sometimes deadly.”

After the death of her son, Wiant became a vocal advocate against hazing. She has dedicated herself to spreading awareness of what hazing is and looks like and encouraging students at higher education institutions around America to speak out through events like her TED talk and visits to schools like Clark State.

She has also worked in tandem with lawmakers to draft and pass Collin’s Law: Ohio’s Anti-Hazing Law. She lobbies on Capitol Hill for federal anti-hazing legislation, as well.

Collin’s family and friends have also launched a documentary about his life and death called “45 Mill Street.” The film was nominated for an Emmy.

The Collin Wiant Foundation has dedicated itself to bring more courage and kindness into the world.

Wiant’s talk will be given at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center, 275 South Limestone Street in Springfield, at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13.

The event is free to the public, and no tickets are needed. The school requests that if you plan to attend that you RSVP here.

More information about Clark State College can be found at the school’s website.