The Emory Wheel 100 Years of
Emory University’s Independent Student Newspaper
Volume 100, Issue 29
Printed Every Wednesday
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
ACTIVISM
ADMINISTRATION
Hauk, University Historian, to Retire By Calen MacDonald Senior Staff Writer
Priyam Mazumdar/Staff
Emory community members participate in the global climate strike on Sept. 20 by walking out of classes to protest the government’s inaction in addressing climate change.
Community Joins National Climate Strike By Bisma Punjani Contributing Writer
Emory students, alumni and faculty gathered on Cox Bridge on Friday to participate in a global strike to demand action on climate change. The strike was part of a youth-driven global movement with an estimated 4 million participants, likely making it the largest global climate protest in history, according to USA Today. Over the course of the event, protestors marched, made posters and
listened to speeches from campus leaders. The event co-sponsors, including the Emory Climate Organization, Emory NAACP, Greeks Go Green and the Global Health Organization, were all given the chance to speak about the importance of environmental change. The Emory Climate Analysis and Solutions Team (ECAST) Co-President Ben Levitt (22C) said he is optimistic that the strike will “bring together people from diverse
STUDENT HEALTH
Emory Staff Discuss Rise in Vaping By Thomas Kreutz Contributing Writer
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 530 people have been admitted to hospitals across the United States in 2019 for showing symptoms of inflamed lungs and other respiratory damage caused by vaping. Of the 530 cases, 72 percent were men, 67 percent were between the ages of 18 and 34 and a total of six cases resulted in death. The Emory Wheel conducted in-person and email interviews with Emory University School of Medicine Associate Professor Srihari Veeraraghavan, Director of Health Management Michael Staufacker and Health Promotion Specialist Brandi Benton. The Wheel’s “Round Table” series intends to share the viewpoints of a diverse group of Emory faculty and staff regarding current issues within the student body. Interview transcripts have been edited for clarity and length. The Emory Wheel: According to WSB-TV Atlanta, a patient was admitted to the pulmonary wing of Emory University Hospital earlier in September. Could you tell us about
NEWS Jimmy Carter
Speaks at 38th Annual Carter Town Hall ... PAGE 2 P
that? Srihari Veeraraghavan: A patient arrived with symptoms of breathing difficulty, a slight cough and was later found with vitamin E in his lungs. TEW: Can you tell us more about vitamin E? SV: Vitamin E is a regular vitamin that can be found in everyday food items. However, we don’t know what it does when you inhale [it]. The creators of the pod that caused these symptoms probably used it as a suspension to get flavors or THC in there. There is a lot we don’t know about the market for vapes and vaping products. However, we do know that all oils are irritants to a human’s airways. By inhaling it, you risk inflaming your lungs and exposing your body to harmful chemicals. TEW: What is your take on the recent epidemic? SV: Part of the problem is that these products aren’t regulated at all. There are thousands of different flavors in the market, all of which come with different, often unknown chemicals. Bubble gum, applepeach — I’m not even sure what an apple-peach flavor is — but there are unknown chemicals in there that create it. That is a problem.
See SPECIALISTS, Page 2
backgrounds at Emory in pursuit of a common goal, which it to take climate action and pursue justice for all.” “I hope this is the beginning of a sustained student effort to call for climate action,” he said. Fellow ECAST Co-President Emily Strahan (20G) emphasized how people’s experiences with climate change can differ drastically depending on various socioeconomic factors, cit-
See CLIMATE, Page 2
Gary Hauk (91G), the first official University historian since 2015, will retire on Jan. 1, 2020, ending his 34-year stint at Emory. Over his tenure, he has served as assistant secretary of the University, vice president and senior adviser to the president. During his time as historian, Hauk taught a course called “The History of Emory,” maintained a blog examining Emory’s history and published four books and several essays on the topic. In 1999, Hauk published his first book, “A Legacy of Heart and Mind: Emory Since 1836.” His latest book, “Emory as Place,” was published on Aug. 1, 2019. After writing his first book, Hauk felt encouraged to delve further into Emory’s history. “When you produce a book about something, everybody perceives you to be the expert,” Hauk said. “I began to get a lot of questions … and I felt like I had to go find out the answer to these questions.” Hauk came to Emory in 1983 as a
graduate student to pursue a doctorate degree in religion through the Laney Graduate School Ethics and Society program. Two years into his studies, Hauk began working full time as a reference librarian at the Pitts Theology Library. Gary Hauk, University Historian
Nassem Yousef/Contributing
Following his studies, he remained on campus to serve in a variety of roles in the office of president. Even after Hauk was appointed to the role of University historian, he continued to work as deputy to the president. He chose to leave the office of the president following University President Claire E. Sterk’s appointment in 2016, and transitioned full time to the role of historian.
See AFTER, Page 3
GREEK LIFE
Noyonika Parulekar/Contributing
Hazing-prevention advocate Lianne Kowiak relays the story of her son’s death to about 200 students. Harrison Kowiak died during a hazing ritual at Lenior-Rhyne University (N.C.).
Speaker Advocates Against Hazing By Musa Ya-Sin Contributing Writer
Hazing-prevention advocate Lianne Kowiak warned roughly 200 Greek life members about the dangers of hazing, telling the story of her son, Harrison Kowiak, who died during Lenoir-Rhyne University’s (N.C.) “Hell Week” while pledging as a sophomore. The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life (OSFL) hosted the lecture as a part of National Hazing Prevention Week. Harrison Kowiak, an avid golfer, died in November 2008 during a hazing ritual for pledges of the Theta Chi fraternity. He was tackled and beaten
OP-ED The Editorial A&E Things are Getting Board Responds to Use of Wilder with Emory’s Slurs in Classroom ... PAGE 5 Cinematheque ... PAGE 7
by his fraternity brothers in a field during the night, and head injuries eventually caused his death. Lianne Kowiak said her son could have been saved if he had gotten the necessary medical attention in a timely manner. However, the brothers panicked after Harrison Kowiak became unresponsive, leading them to delay seeking medical attention. “If there is one thing you take away from this presentation tonight, it is that I want you to call 911 right away,” Lianne Kowiak said. “Do not waste precious minutes because those precious minutes can save lives.” Lianne Kowiak cited statistics from hazing research resource StopHazing, which reported that
EMORY LIFE Emory
three in five college students are hazed and that at least one hazing death occurred yearly between 1970 and 2014. Over 70 percent of varsity athletes and fraternity pledges suffer from hazing, according to Lianne Kowiak, who also noted that victims are often subjected to forced drinking, sleep deprivation, and other humiliating and violent behavior. Lianne Kowiak urged the crowd of Greek life members to speak out if they witness hazing. “I ask each and everyone of you to think about the activity — is the activity one that your mother would
See KOWIAK, Page 2
SPORTS Brereton Seen on TV, Emory Locales Reflects on British Baseball in Film and Media ... PAGE 9 Experience ... Back Page as