KVNUFTP

Utah State University freshman Michael Starks, 18, of Salt Lake City, died early Friday morning [Nov. 21, 2008] at Logan Regional Hospital of alcohol poisoning.

The Logan City police are still investigating the incident. Starks lived in Mountain View Towers at USU and was in the process of becoming a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.

“This is alarming and tragic,” said John DeVilbiss, executive director of USU Public Relations and Marketing. “We are shocked and saddened. Our first priority is with the family of this young man who lost his life, and our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”

DeVilbiss said the university is in the early stages of reviewing the incident, and it is working with law enforcement agencies to determine exactly what happened. He said Starks was not on campus when he consumed the alcohol that led to his death. He was pronounced dead around 3 a.m.

University personnel met Friday at noon with the entire Greek community on campus, and school counselors have met with members of the Sigma Nu fraternity.

Starks was majoring in general studies and graduated from Judge Memorial in Salt Lake City.