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VOL. 62, NO. 19 MARCH 3, 2021
‘Adam had a big heart’
VCU freshman Adam Oakes poses in photos from throughout his life with relatives such as his uncle Steve and his mother, Linda. He graduated from Potomac Falls High School in Loudoun County, Virginia, in 2020. Adam was found dead Feb. 27 at a residence near the university’s campus. Photos courtesy of Oakes family
Family, university respond to death of VCU freshman SAHARA SRIRAMAN Contributing Writer
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DAM OAKES, A 19-YEAR-OLD VCU freshman, was found dead this past Saturday at a residence on West Clay Street. His family says a Delta Chi fraternity hazing event resulted in Adam’s death. Courtney White, Adam’s cousin, said Adam had a huge heart and was a nurturer, which set him apart from other teenagers. Whenever someone left a room, Adam would say, “I love you,” White said. “He would light up the room when he walked in,” White said. “He gave you giant bear hugs.” During his first year as a college student, Adam wasn’t involved with any groups or activities besides Delta Chi, White said. He rushed the fraternity to get the “full college experience,” she said — much of his senior year at Potomac Falls High School in Loudoun County was disrupted by COVID-19. VCU sent a university-wide statement, written by the Senior Vice Provost Charles Klink, on Tuesday stating it will review Greek life on campus to make recommendations about how fraternities and sororities operate.
“VCU is dedicated to acting now, and will be ready to do more pending outcomes of the police investigation,” the release stated. “The university continues to work with Adam’s family and will always keep Adam, his family and friends in our hearts.” Eric Oakes, Adam’s father, said his son loved VCU, especially given the close proximity to his hometown of Sterling, Virginia. Although all of Adam’s classes were online this semester, he still wanted to live on campus, Eric Oakes said. “He’s an only child, so he was seeking that social piece of finding his place and finding his brothers and that was what he was looking for when he tried to join Delta Chi,” White said. Delta Chi interviewed Adam for the fraternity on Feb. 19, Eric Oakes said. Four days later, on Feb. 23, the fraternity notified Adam of his acceptance into the organization. The big-little party, where all newly accepted members get together with existing members, was scheduled for this past Friday. “He was so excited when he got accepted, he just had a ‘somebody wants me’ kind of feeling,” Eric Oakes said. White said suspending the Delta Chi chapter at VCU is not an adequate
response because the members of the fraternity are not being punished. “They’re still drinking, they’re still having a good time, while my cousin is dead,” White said. “He will never get that experience back.” Authorities identified Adam at an “off-campus residence,” according to a VCU release. Richmond Police stated the location was on the 100 block of West Clay Street, although they have not given an address. White tweeted that Adam was found at 138 W. Clay Street. That address is roughly six blocks away from the VCU Institute for Contemporary Art. White wants VCU to stop using the phrase “off-campus” because Delta Chi is still affiliated with the university, she said. If it wasn’t part of on-campus life, Adam’s father wouldn’t have let him join because he wouldn’t have thought it was safe, White said. Fraternities and sororities affiliated with VCU help their members meet new people on campus and are funded by the university. According to RamsConnect, becoming part of Greek life “is a great way to enhance your college experience.” See ADAM OAKES on page 2