It is hard for many students to return to school after spring, winter or summer break, but one thing many students are generally excited about is to reunite with their college friends.
This was the case for many of the students who attended Baker University for the 1995-1996 school year and were returning from winter break for Interterm.
The excitement did not last long for some students, though, because one of their friends unexpectedly did not return to Baker.
After dealing with depression for months after a summer acquaintance rape, Kristin Cooper committed suicide on New Year’s Eve at her home in Colorado, just a few days before students returned for classes.
Students at Baker University were shaken up by the news of Cooper’s death.
The women of Alpha Chi Omega sorority took the news the hardest, as Cooper was a member of that chapter. Those who needed to talk to someone spoke with first-year house director Kathleen Thomas, who is still the house director today.
The women of Alpha Chi Omega, as well as students outside the sorority, were able to talk to University Minister Ira DeSpain as well.
Although Cooper’s death affected many people, her death has been used as a learning experience nationwide on how to cope with depression and rape.
Kristin’s parents did not know about her rape until her journal was found after she committed suicide.
Kristin’s mother, Andrea Cooper, travels around the country to speak about what happened to Kristin in an effort to make sure it does not happen to anyone else.
Sunday marks a special day for Andrea because she is returning to Baker for the first time in five years to tell students Kristin’s story that was outlined in her journal. Although there probably aren’t any students currently at Baker who knew Kristin, Andrea’s presentation will illustrate that what happened to Kristin can happen to anyone.
The presentation is not meant to be only for women, either. Andrea has presented “Kristin’s Story” to numerous men’s groups by telling how she was affected as Kristin’s mother.
Andrea explains how both men and women can help out a victim of rape or anyone that suffers from any type of depression.
As of Thursday, 98 people have RSVP’d on the “Kristin’s Story” Facebook events as attending. Whether or not a student is dealing with depression, or knows someone who is dealing with depression, this will be a good educational opportunity for anyone who chooses to attend.
The presentation of “Kristin’s Story” will start at 6 p.m. Sunday in Rice Auditorium.
Andrea Cooper has traveled around the country with the purpose of educating students on these issues and students should take time out to learn her story.
