Scott Maloney, a young man who survived a traumatic brain injury that resulted from a rooftop fall after a college night of drinking, will share his story with students at Catawba College at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23 in Goodman Gymnasium. Maloney's appearance on campus is one of severalEvents being coordinated through Catawba's Office of Student Affairs to mark National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, Oct. 19-25.
Maloney's story began on September 18, 2004 when a typical Friday night on his college campus turned into a nightmare. Today, thanks to modern medicine, prayer and determination, the 29-year-old Maloney has recovered, but his lesson about alcohol use and abuse is one he shares with college students throughout the country.
A 2001 graduate of King Philip Regional High School in Wrentham, Mass. and a 2005 graduate of Becker College in Worcester, Mass., Maloney's career is focused on sharing his story through public speaking. He has addressed thousands of high school and collegiate level students about his experience, touching the lives of young people with his cautionary tale.
According to Catawba's Assistant Dean of Resident Life, Sarah Rossini, students at local high schools and area colleges have been invited to attend Maloney's presentation which she says, "won't disappoint." "I know Scott. He's real and his story is real, and I'm hopeful that our students leave the auditorium after hearing him speak with a reality check."
Other on-campus activities scheduled during the week include on Monday, Oct. 22 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Rowan County Sheriff's Office golf carts obstacle course with impaired vision goggles, Alcohol Law Enforcement distribution of information, and N.C. Highway Patrol sobriety testing with impaired vision goggles; Wednesday, Oct. 24 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., alcohol screening provided by Catawba College Counseling Services in the Cannon Student Center and a Dunk Tank, featuring Catawba Public Safety – answer an alcohol awareness question and a get ball to throw; Thursday, Oct. 25 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., an outdoor lunch provided by Chartwells in Stanback Plaza with a band to play between 11 a.m. and noon; and Friday, Oct. 26, the Office of Student Affairs will distribute Halloween/Alcohol Awareness bags to residential students while commuter students may pick up their bags in the Student Affairs Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Catawba students will enjoy giveaways at each of the aforementionedEvents, including long-sleeved t-shirts, color-changing cups, Frisbees and magnets.
Held each year during the third week of October, National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness week aims to bring attention to the serious public health issues posed by excessive drinking among college student during a part of the academic calendar that is marked by football games, homecoming weekends, and other large celebrations on many campuses.
Catawba is among the colleges and universities across the country sponsoring programs, forums, and educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness of alcohol issues on their campuses.
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