Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - VCU hosted the family of Adam Oakes on Tuesday to commemorate the two-year anniversary of his hazing death.
Speaking to a room of students, family, and friends, Adam Oakes' family discussed the pain they've experienced since his death, as well as their mission to prevent future such deaths. Eric Oakes, Adam's father, said the family has felt "lost" ever since, but have found purpose in the Love Like Adam Foundation, an anti-hazing organization that aims to change fraternity culture.
Family and friends shared their memories of Oakes, who was just 19 when he died of alcohol poisoning at a Delta Chi fraternity party in February, 2021. Anti-hazing advocate Gary DeVercelli Sr, whose own son died in a similar incident at Rider University in 2007, also spoke, at one point addressing VCU administration directly. "Under your watch," he said, "there was a hazing culture that lived and thrived and killed Adam Oakes."
Alison Martin -- who prosecuted members of the Delta Chi fraternity accused of hazing Oakes -- also addressed the crowd, discussing the Oakes' commitment to changing fraternity culture. When she wanted to push for jail time, she said, Eric Oakes called her with an alternative idea, one centered around "restorative justice and community education" instead.
Afterwards, a plaque and bench commemorating Oakes were unveiled in front of VCU's office of fraternity and sorority life.
