Eric Oakes and Courtney White, family members of hazing victim Adam Oakes, advocate for the eradication of hazing on college campuses, sharing Adam's legacy of love and resilience.
In the wake of a recent sentencing in the tragic hazing case at Florida State University, the father and cousin of victim Adam Oakes are using their voices to raise awareness about the dangers of hazing and to encourage a culture of love and respect on college campuses.
Eric Oakes, founder of the Love Like Adam Foundation, and Adam's cousin Courtney White appeared on Fox & Friends Weekend to discuss the impact of hazing on students' lives. They shared Adam's story as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from these senseless practices.
Love Like Adam: Father and Cousin of Hazing Victim Urge Compassion and Courage
"Love Like Adam is a foundation that we started," explained Eric Oakes. "It's a way to honor Adam and to help prevent other families from going through what we've gone through."
Adam Oakes, a pledge of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity at FSU, died in 2017 after participating in a hazing ritual known as "Scumbag of the Week." He was forced to consume excessive amounts of alcohol and was subsequently left alone in a room where he choked on his own vomit.
Love Like Adam: Father and Cousin of Hazing Victim Urge Compassion and Courage
Oliver Walker, a former FSU student, was recently sentenced to 30 days in prison and a year of probation for his role in the incident. Nicholas Mauricio, a fellow pledge who was also punched in the face as part of the ritual, suffered a debilitating brain injury.
Courtney White, who was close to Adam, expressed her dismay at the prevalence of hazing in college environments. "It's something that's been going on for years, and it's not getting any better," she said. "It's time for us to take a stand and say, 'This is not okay.'"
Love Like Adam: Father and Cousin of Hazing Victim Urge Compassion and Courage
Eric Oakes emphasized the importance of love and compassion in combating hazing. "We need to teach our kids to love each other," he said. "We need to teach them to respect each other."
Nicholas Mauricio, who is facing extensive rehabilitation and therapy due to his brain injury, shared his perspective on the incident. "It's affected my whole family," he said. "My mom has had to give up her career to take care of me."
Love Like Adam: Father and Cousin of Hazing Victim Urge Compassion and Courage
Mauricio urged college students to be courageous and to speak out against hazing. "You can tell them no," he said. "You have more power than them. You can prevent something bad from happening to you and keep your dignity intact."
The Love Like Adam Foundation aims to educate students and fraternity members about the dangers of hazing through workshops, presentations, and online resources. The foundation's mission is to create a culture of respect and compassion on college campuses, where students feel valued and supported.
Love Like Adam: Father and Cousin of Hazing Victim Urge Compassion and Courage
Eric Oakes expressed his hope that Adam's legacy would inspire positive change. "We want to make sure that Adam's death wasn't in vain," he said. "We want to make sure that other families don't have to go through this pain."
As the fight against hazing continues, the Love Like Adam Foundation stands as a beacon of hope and determination, advocating for a world where college students are safe and treated with respect. Through education, empowerment, and compassion, they are working to create a legacy of love and unity that will ultimately eradicate the scourge of hazing from our campuses.
Love Like Adam: Father and Cousin of Hazing Victim Urge Compassion and Courage
