In my last blog entry I briefly alluded to the Adam Lack controversy which occurred about a decade ago. I looked through old BDHs about a year ago to read through the case just to assuage my own curiosities. What I found was remarkable: nearly 2 years throughout which time Lack was mentioned in almost every single BDH (whether in a letter to the editor or in an op-ed).
The case is fairly straight forward. Weeks after a sexual encounter, after being urged by an MPC, a girl with whom Lack had had sexual relations came out and accused Lack of Rape. The case was tried by the student disciplinary board, and Lack was basically reprimanded for being stupid (sleeping with a drunk girl). The dean, at the time, decided that the punishment wasn’t harsh enough and overturned the decision dolling out a stronger penalty. The BDH’s staff forgot that they were journalists, decided to give the accuser the benefit of the doubt, and the whole thing was dragged out into the public. Students and administrators began publicly lambasting the poor student. Basically, Adam Lack had only one outspoken advocate–Professor David Josephson–who came under fire for supporting the estranged student. Margaret Klawunn, the current VP for Campus Life, said of Josephson’s that his support for Lack was proof-positive that either he had once raped someone or, at the very least, wanted to.
Eventually, the national media got a hold of the story. John Stossel came to campus, and Brown was thrust into the national spotlight.
In the end, Lack was acquitted, and Brown gave him a substantial settlement (on the order of a millions of dollars). But after that, the conversation by Brown’s administration, didn’t turn to how they could prevent another Lack mistake. Rather, administrators and students began discussing how they could better protect girls from predators like Lack. Thus, the Adam Lack incident began the era of denying due process to those accused of sexual assault. Brown tries sexual assault cases behind closed doors and begins with the presumption that the accused stand guilty of the crime even before the facts are sorted out.
Apparently, Adam Lack died on July 13, 2008. But, despite his infamy, his was an obituary that no one here would publish. Why? Because there is nothing good that can come of mentioning his name here, all it would do is serve as a reminder of administrative incompetency and poor journalism. It’s too bad for Brown that while Lack may no longer be with us, some of the sycophantic, opportunist leftovers, still are.
The Obituary from CharlesCity365.com
Adam M. Lack, 33, of Nora Springs, died Sunday, July 13, 2008, in a single vehicle accident in rural Mitchell County.
A funeral Mass for Adam Lack will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. Reverend Carl Ries, pastor, will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.
Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday where there will be a Vigil Scriptural Wake Service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Friday at the church an hour prior to the service.
Adam Michael Lack was born May 13, 1975, at Mason City, the son of Gary (deceased) and Veronica (Naumann) Lack. Adam spent his childhood in several towns in northern Iowa including Rockford, Cedar Falls, and Mason City before moving to Buffalo, Wyo. during his freshman year of high school. He was a remarkably gifted wrestler, becoming an AAU national champion at the age of 9 and 4-time high school state place winner in Wyoming. He was valedictorian of his class at Buffalo High School, received an academic scholarship to Brown University and recently received his degree in business economics from Brown University in Providence, R.I. He had formerly owned and operated the Floyd restaurant in Floyd. More recently he had operated the Eagle’s Nest bar in Nora Springs. Until the time of his death he was an ethanol plant operations supervisor at POET Biorefining. He enjoyed reading, writing and fishing in his spare time. Adam’s life was one of caring for others including his mother, Veronica, and his nieces and nephews. He was deeply thoughtful and loving. He was protective of his loved ones. After the death of his father from cancer in 2004, Adam remained at home to help his mother with managing the family farm while pursuing his business ventures and working at the ethanol plant. One of his best college friends, Ray Rocha, died on September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center attacks. Another dear friend, Dimitri Gavriel, was later killed in action in Iraq after joining the marines. Regarding the friends he had lost Adam had written, “I wish I could fish with Dimitri once more, and do anything with Ray.” Adam may be described best in his own writing. In relation to his love of family and friends, “One of my favorite occasional occurrences is being awoken early by my giggling nieces, Gabriella and Erica. Time spent with friends, preferably laughing, is a priority for me.” In relation to his quest for answers, “I like thunderstorms and truth, because they answer to no one. somewhere there’s always an equation I’m working on in my mind that haunts me; but I’ll always break it.” He described his heroes as “all those who swim against the tide or care for the less fortunate.”
He is survived by his mother, Veronica Lack of Nora Springs; five siblings, Anthony Lack of Baytown, TX, Tanya (Shawn) Hamilton of Dallas, TX, Heidi (Robert) Thunhorst of Iowa City, Benjamin (Fernanda DeCollo) Lack of Des Moines, and William (Brandi Moon) Lack of Iowa City; and nieces and nephews, Gustav Thunhorst, Erica Lack, Gabriella Lack, and Catherina Lack. His boyish laugh and warm sense of humor will
remain with everyone always.He was preceded in death by his grandparents and father.
Memorials may be directed to the Lack Educational Fund of the Knights of Columbus, 1475 325th Street, Nora Springs, IA 50458.
The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles
City, is in charge of arrangements.
Thank you for publishing my brother’s obituary which I wrote. I wish that my writing was more capable. I respond only to assure those who attempted to dishonor my brother, for he did not do so himself, that he remains his little brother’s hero to this day. I will strive each day to be just slightly more like him.
Sincerely,
William Lack, MD
Sounds like a great kid.
He described his heroes as “all those who swim against the tide or care for the less fortunate.” Most people never come close to acquiring as much compassion as that quote shows. Somewhere along the way he must have found empathy for people who were handed unfair circumstances.