Prairie View A&M suspends pledging after student’s death
The Hempstead Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Prairie View A&M University student Donnie Wade.
Wade, of Dallas, died Tuesday at the North Cypress Medical Center Hospital after experiencing difficulty during an early morning run at Hempstead High School.
Prairie View A&M Campus police said they will work in conjunction with the Hempstead police during the probe. The PVAMU Office of Student Affairs is also conducting a separate investigation, including examining alleged incidents of hazing. Wade was a prospective member of Phi Beta Sigma, a registered student organization.
Advertisement
Pending investigation results, Prairie View A&M President George C. Wright has suspended all pledging activities.
“The University is taking this situation very seriously. It is imperative that we discontinue all fraternity and sorority membership intake activities until we receive a full account of events that led up to the death of Mr. Wade,” said President Wright. “The entire Prairie View A&M community is saddened by Donnie’s death. We extend our condolences to his family and friends during their time of bereavement.”
Grief counseling and assistance is available to university students, faculty and staff at the PVAMU Owens-Franklin Health Center.
Wake and funeral arrangements are pending.