In memory of Antonio Tsialas ’23 and to honor his legacy of leadership and integrity, Cornell will establish the Antonio Tsialas ’23 Leadership Scholarship, to be awarded annually, beginning in 2021, to a student demonstrating leadership skills, community service and academic achievement.
This year, Cornell also renamed its National Hazing Prevention Week activities in honor of Tsialas, who died in October 2019 after attending an unregistered fraternity party at Phi Kappa Psi.
Cornell posted a dedication this fall on the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life website commemorating Tsialas that read, “Love. Trust. Shine. In memory of Antonio Tsialas ’23, who lost his life on Oct. 24, 2019, Cornell University dedicates this National Hazing Prevention Week, Sept. 21-25, to a new chapter of learning. Learning to love by developing compassion for one another. Learning to trust through respectful interaction. Learning to shine by actually living the values that define us as individuals, as organizations, and as members of the Cornell community.”
“Hazing prevention and education are a critical part of the curriculum for all sororities, fraternities and student organizations at Cornell,” said Jenny Loeffelman, assistant vice president for student and campus life. “We are dedicated to continuing to enhance and expand our hazing prevention and educational programming as a part of National Hazing Prevention Week in Antonio’s honor.”
National Hazing Prevention Week includes motivational speakers, team-building activities and service activities all aimed at encouraging respect and compassion, in order to prevent hazing. Tsialas’ parents will collaborate with Cornell on an official name for the anti-hazing week, as well as on specific programming ideas.
Beginning next year, the scholarship will be awarded annually to an incoming student who is a resident of Florida, New Hampshire or Massachusetts with an academic interest in math and science as well as leadership and community service skills.
The Cornell University Police Department announced Nov. 30 that it had concluded the yearlong investigation into Tsialas’ death.
