As a mother, there are moments forever seared into the memory. The last time Lianne Kowiak saw her son Harrison, he was vibrant and happy, during a parents’ weekend in Asheville in the fall of 2008. He was only 19, a sophomore at Lenoir-Rhyne University, attending on both academic and golf scholarships with a future so bright. Harrison wanted the “full college experience,” he told his family. But nobody imagined it could lead to his death.
The call from the emergency department, with the news that Harrison had been airlifted to a trauma center, was described as a football injury. But the truth, when it finally emerged, was far more horrific: Harrison died from a brain injury sustained during a Theta Chi Fraternity hazing ritual called “bulldogging.” He, along with other pledges, was told to wear light-colored clothing and run across a dark field 20 miles off campus, attempting to touch a “sacred rock.”
Unbeknownst to them, fraternity brothers in dark clothing waited to tackle them without warning. Harrison, a 6’2” golfer who never played tackle sports, was repeatedly tackled by members of the fraternity, some of them football players, weighing over 220 pounds, striking his head on the frozen ground. To compound the tragedy, he was not taken to the hospital immediately; had he been, his life might have been saved. This senseless and horrific loss spurred a dedication to preventing other families from enduring similar trauma, speaking to thousands of students and parents nationwide.
Harrison’s story tragically echoes the experiences of countless families across the nation whose lives have been shattered by hazing. Research from StopHazing shows the significant nationwide scale of the problem. More than half of college students involved in clubs, teams, or organizations report experiencing hazing. Hazing is a pervasive issue impacting a substantial portion of students in various groups, not limited to fraternities and sororities.
It is this profound and preventable loss that makes the recent passage of North Carolina’s Senate Bill 375, aptly named “Harrison’s Law,” such a critical milestone for the state. The legislation represents a significant advancement in holding individuals and institutions accountable, and in fostering safer environments for students.
Previously, North Carolina’s hazing law was narrowly defined, focusing almost exclusively on “physical injury” within collegiate Greek life scenarios. State Sen. Amy Galey, R-Alamance, who pushed for the new law, rightly pointed out that the previous law failed to account for the full spectrum of harmful behaviors. “Harrison’s Law” fundamentally overhauls this limited scope, bringing the state’s approach to hazing into the 21st century.
The new law broadens the definition of hazing to include not only physical harm but also “serious psychological injury.” This crucial expansion now covers actions such as forced consumption of alcohol or dangerous foods; branding; paddling; threats of such conduct; and even psychological tactics like sleep deprivation, embarrassment rituals, or social isolation. This expanded definition recognizes the severe and often long-lasting mental-health impacts of hazing, going beyond visible injuries to protect the holistic well-being of students.
Furthermore, “Harrison’s Law” significantly increases penalties for hazing offenses. Where offenders were previously subject to a Class 2 misdemeanor, the new legislation now imposes penalties ranging from a Class A1 misdemeanor for students who engage in or aid hazing, up to a Class C felony for incidents resulting in serious bodily injury or death. In a groundbreaking move, school personnel — including teachers, administrators, student teachers, school safety officers, or coaches — who participate in or enable hazing may now be charged with a Class I felony. It is a powerful step towards ensuring that those in positions of authority are held to the highest standards of responsibility.
This legislative update in North Carolina is part of a larger, urgent national effort driven largely by grieving parents who have turned their grief into action through advocacy. It complements the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act, passed last December, which mandates public reporting of hazing incidents and requires colleges and universities to implement research-informed education and prevention programs. While laws are vital for accountability, they are most effective when coupled with comprehensive education and prevention strategies that actively work to shift culture.
Parents should actively research the schools and organizations their children wish to join. They must engage in candid conversations about what hazing is, its dangers, and how to prevent it. We implore every parent to talk with their teen about hazing, following our top tips for doing so. Encourage your children to speak up, to voice their discomfort, and to call 911 immediately if they witness or experience a dangerous situation. Had medical attention reached Harrison sooner, the outcome could have been different.
Universities and schools should actively promote positive team building and implement robust policies that encourage reporting and ensure consistent discipline for hazing. This means utilizing the tools and resources available, such as those from organizations like StopHazing, to deliver research-based prevention programming and ensure full transparency regarding hazing incidents, as required by the federal Act.
“Having Harrison’s Law in North Carolina will not bring our beautiful son and brother home,” Lianne Kowiak, Harrison’s mother, told me recently. “No parent sends their child off to college thinking they will never return. And no parent should outlive their child over something so senseless as hazing. However, we can make it safer for students in North Carolina and deter them from hazing. Holding individuals accountable, whether a student or administrator or coach, is necessary to ensure all eyes and ears are watching for any hazing activities. Hazing can quickly escalate and get out of control. There is no purpose in subjecting individuals to emotional or physical abuse to join an organization.”
The law is merely a starting point. Its true impact will be felt when every parent, student, educator, and administrator in North Carolina embraces their role in fostering a culture where every student is safe, respected, and free from the harm of hazing.
