IN MEMORY OF JAY SEVERSON
 
 

As you may know, Red Ribbon Week is dedicated to federal drug

enforcement agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed by drug

traffickers in Mexico in 1985.  In response to his death, angered

parents across the country began wearing Red Ribbons to

symbolize their commitment toward the creation of a drug-free

America.  In October 1996, Jay Severson, a Residence Hall

Director at Purdue University was killed after he found one of his

residents using cocaine in his room.  After his death, many

residence life staff across the country wore their staff shirts in

his honor.  To carry on this unified statement that residence

halls are against drug use and abuse, Residence Life Staff

Members are encouraged to wear their shirt on Monday, October

18, 1999.  It is my hope that this will become a continuing

statement for all to know that we are in support of Red Ribbon

Week and Drug Free Residence Halls.
 

Jay Severson, who returned to Purdue as a graduate student to again be a Wiley Hall counselor, will be remembered as an athletic young man with a quick wit and abiding concern for others.