BU grieves once again

BLOOMSBURG — Jared Drosnock, a freshman who lived in Lycoming Hall at Bloomsburg University, died Sunday morning due to alcohol poisoning, police said.

Drosnock was found dead at 10:38 a.m. in what was formerly known as the Pi Kappa Phi house by his fellow brothers, according to published reports. He had apparently consumed a lethal dose of beer and 100-proof alcohol and had a blood alcohol level of .40. According to Columbia County Coroner, Michael Kenny, Drosnock died in his sleep. Police are investigating who provided the alcohol, which may result in that person being charged with negligent homicide and furnishing alcohol to a minor. Drosnock was a member of Pi Kappa Phi, but there are speculations as to whether he was officially, because of that fact that he was only a freshman and did not have enough credits to pledge his first semester. The fraternity recently lost its charter on Jan. 19.

“The circumstances surrounding the death of Jared Drosnock are troublesome but make this senseless loss of life no less tragic,” President Dr. Jessica Kozloff said.

Drosnock was a business administrator major from Pen Argyl, where he was on the all-area wrestling team. However, he did not wrestle for Bloomsburg.

“He was a good guy,” freshman, Kenny Brown said.“He was the type of guy you would be friends with at home.” Fraternities and sororities hung black flags over their Greek letters in honor of Drosnock. His floormates in Lycoming collected donations to buy flowers for the family. A memorial is possibly in the works by his friends.

Members of Pi Kappa Phi were not ready to say anything concerning Drosnock, and their adviser John Romanoski had no comment.

“He was a good guy,” said his roommate of last semester, freshman Ben Blackburn.

“The weirdest part is I saw him everyday the last two weeks, and now I am never going to see him again,” he said.

“Jared was always so happy,” said freshman Kimberly Galinski.

“He smiled at everything,” he said.

“We spend countless hours educating our students to make responsible decisions,” Kozloff said.

“Yet we must do more in hopes that this will never happen again,” she said.

The funeral will be held Thursday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. at St. John’s in Nazareth, Pa. Directions to the funeral home can be found online at the official Bloomsburg University website.

Counseling services are available for any student who needs it. Dr. William Harrar is director of the counseling department at 389-4255.

University Spokesperson Jim Hollister encourages anyone who has any ideas on how to control alcohol abuse, to speak up.

“What more can we do? If anyone has a great idea we’re willing to hear it,” he said.