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George Desdunes, a 19-year-old freshman at Cornell University, was found dead outside a fraternity house on Friday, according to the Cornell Daily Sun. Desdunes was from Brooklyn and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
The cause of death has not yet been specified and is expected to be released after the autopsy.
I hope this student didn't die in an alcohol-related incident. As a college professor, I've grown weary of the alcohol-infested culture that exists on many college campuses. Cornell is not an exception to the drug and alcohol game, as a student was recently arrested with tens of thousands of dollars worth of heroin in her possession. Also, fraternity life can be one of the riskiest, most self-destructive activities that students are indoctrinated into as they enter college in their freshman year. The shooting death of Jamail Johnson, a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, is a significant case-in-point.
I won't speculate on the cause of death for George Desdunes until I hear the final results, but given that he was found dead in a frat house on a Friday night, I wouldn't be surprised if the answer is the obvious one. I spoke last night to graduating seniors at the Black Achievers Scholarship Banquet in Louisville Kentucky. One thing I told them is that the distractions and challenges of college can be unspeakably alarming. College is not a place to die, but unfortunately, it happens all too often.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and author of "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here. 
Comments: (12)
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By: Carolyn on 2/27/2011 11:52PM
He was found unresponsive on Friday morning-7 am...not friday night...and later died at the hospital. But I know what you are saying. I hope it's not alcohol or drug related too. I knew George- an absolutely brilliant, conscientous young man who wanted to be a nuero-surgeon. I also know he had been sick for a coupe of weeks( cold/flu type thing).... So completely tragic.
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By: Carolyn on 2/28/2011 10:28AM
He was a sophomore, not a feshman, and he was not found outside, he was found on a couch inside the frat house on Friday morning....alot of your facts are incorrect.
Not that it really matters- bottom line is George, an incredible kid, destined for great things, is gone. The police have now said they think it was related to alcohol. I've known this boy since he was 8, and I can tell you he was special. He was the only child of a single mother in Brooklyn who made her entire life about giving him every opportunity. He was motivated and smart- Cornell for God Sake- he wanted to be neuro-surgeon.
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By: James Gadson on 2/28/2011 2:47PM
This is a sad and tragic story. I don't know if the true facts will ever be known given the fact that this story is regarding a 'black' young man's death in a predominantly 'white' college environment.
Fraternities are still into hazing. I believe these kind of traditions are hard to separate from those kind of groups.
Secret societies (frats) like Skull and Bones have medieval macabre connections and are full of wealthy elite/corporate exec members/pledges.
When a person commits to one of these self-serving organizations (such as a president of the U.S.) His allegiance puts this society before all else including country.
'Americans' (like many other countrymen around the world), are copycats. They tend to covet whatever they see others do or possess. It does not amaze me how 'black' youth can copy what 'whites' do. We are all guilty of copying the traits of others, but especially our supreme leaders,(white people).
Our African ancestors did not have these type of secret (deadly) fraternal societies, nor the hazing, nor the kind of selfish greed we are "Americanized" into at birth etc.
That being said. If the police(generally white) think alcohol was involved, I say think further. If hazing hasn't been considered I say consider it. Lastly. If 'blacks' must follow the path of the 'whites' in almost everything they do, at least try to keep the perspective in mind as to who you're dealing with.
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By: Leon on 2/28/2011 2:21AM
That's what's wrong with some of our black adults..to speculate/jumping the gun about this young man unfortunate death to think it was alcohol related. Some of us need to get the facts before being haste about something so tragic.
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By: Kalynn on 2/28/2011 7:40AM
Boyce, give us accurate FACTS, was he in the fraternity house or outside the house. Sometimes your info isn't factual. Was he DOA or did he die at the hospital? Thanks for sharing this story. Condolences to his family, he looks like a focused young man. Cornell is a great university. We need to keep the main thing the main thing, stop some of the partying and keep hitting the books.
Was on one of our local campuses the other day and thought I was on somebody's corner. I'm not saying folks have to be decked out like they are going to the opera, but my Lord, pull your pants up young men put some clothes on young ladies. You should be changing your outlook on life and entering a new level when you go to college.
Folks, stay on topic. Sell your stuff somewhere else.
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By: David on 2/28/2011 8:26AM
Obviously you haven't taken a look at how young white people dress lately.
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By: whateva on 2/28/2011 1:20PM
good poing kalynn
@David, she said on a local campus and didn't say anything about black people. N E WAY who cares about white people. that's the problem black folks see white folks doing stupid mess and try to duplicate it. forget the white people and help our young BLACK people do better. Can't be dumb all ya life. Dang!
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By: Myron Wahls Jr. on 2/28/2011 8:11AM
Very unfortunate incident - We usually figure that once a young black male makes it to college that he has "made it." But, after being on this Earth for 50 years and having been through many experiences, including the college experience, I must say, we never really "make it." The challenges are lifelong --- Myron Wahls Jr. of Detroit, Morehouse College Grad '85.
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By: jerry on 2/28/2011 9:50AM
David,why does everytime someone criticize the young black folks, they always ask us to judge them by white folk standards?
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By: topryder1 on 3/01/2011 9:37AM
Boyce, your article, while appearing to be concerned is one of the most destructive type of journalism. You have taken something, of which no one really has answers yet, and left a field strewn with unfounded accusations. How sad!
To Mr. Gadson above, none of the markings on the faces of Africans, nor the forced mutilation of young girls, would be taking place if your comments about rituals were even remotely true. Please read beforeyou wirte any more.
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