DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio (WCMH) — A Buckeye Valley Local School District graduate has died after an alleged hazing incident at Bowling Green State University.
A statement from the family’s attorney announced Stone Foltz’s death Sunday evening.
“The death of Stone Foltz is a tragedy. He was a beloved son, brother, and grandson. At this time we are gathering all of the facts leading to his untimely death and we have no interest in commenting on speculation. However, we do ask that you please show respect and consideration for Stone’s family. Despite their unbearable grief, they agreed to donate Stone’s organs so that others may have a second chance at life. “
Sean Alto, Partner, Cooper & Elliott
The university said it was working with law enforcement investigating Pi Kappa Alpha in what the fraternity’s parent organization called “an alleged incident of alcohol-related hazing at an off-campus event” that left officials “horrified and outraged.”
The parent organization said the case involved “a student and an unreported new member” of the Delta Beta chapter. The Toledo Blade reports that the term refers to someone who has not gone through the initiation process, and the student was seeking to join the fraternity commonly known as “Pike.”
In a statement, the Buckeye Valley Local School District Superintendent Dr. Andrew Miller called Stone Foltz “a friend to everyone.”
“Stone Foltz was a beloved member of the Buckeye Valley High School Class of 2019,” Dr. Miller’s statement read. “He was a student-athlete but more importantly Stone was a friend to everyone who was blessed to know him. The Buckeye Valley community mourns the loss of this amazing young person and we stand ready to support the Foltz family in the days ahead.”
Earlier Sunday, Alto said there is an investigation into what happened to Foltz
“As for what happened that night, the investigation is ongoing,” his earlier statement said. “The focus right now is on the family.”
NewsNation reports that the incident was alcohol-related.
Alto told NewsNation, “The nature of the hazing incident is still being investigated but I can tell you that it involved a large quantity of alcohol consumed in a very short period of time during a fraternity pledge event.”
Bowling Green State University says they are cooperating with the investigation.
“Yesterday, Bowling Green State University placed Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity on interim suspension for alleged hazing activity,” according to a BGSU Facebook post. “We are working with local law enforcement, who are actively taking the lead in investigating this unfolding situation.”
Bowling Green State University’s web site includes a page on Fraternity & Sorority Life. As of Sunday afternoon, Pi Kappa Alpha remained listed with no mention of suspension.
A statement from Alex Solis, deputy chief of staff and Bowling Green State University spokesperson, states that the fraternity is, in fact, under interim suspension and that steps were taken to this effect Sunday.
“Bowling Green State University has place Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity on interim suspension for alleged hazing activity,” Solis’ statement said. “Local law enforcement and University investigations continue. Given that Pi Kappa Alpha is not currently recognized as a registered student organization, the fraternity’s Greek letters were removed from its on-campus residence this morning.”
The North American Interfraternity Conference, a national trade association of college fraternities, issued the following statement Sunday afternoon:
While the circumstances surrounding this incident at Bowling Green State is still under investigation, we must be clear that hazing is a betrayal of the fraternal vows to which every member commits and has no place on campus. When hard alcohol is added to the mix, it is a formula for tragedy.
The North American Interfraternity Conference is partnered with Kathleen Wiant whose son Collin died in 2018 at Ohio University and other parents of hazing victims to educate about hazing and advocate for stronger laws. Our efforts include advancing the END ALL Hazing Act in Congress and making hazing a felony through state legislation including Collin’s Law now before the Ohio State Legislature.
North American Interfraternity Conference statement
