Lawrence University Professor of Psychology Bruce Hetzler will participate in a community panel discussion Thursday, Nov. 13 examining Wisconsin’s problems involving chronic drunken driving.
The program, at 7 p.m. in Harper Hall of the Music-Drama Center, is free and open to the public. A live webcast of the discussion will be available at postcrescent.com.
The panel discussion, which will be moderated by Wausau Daily Herald reporter Shereen Siewert, is being held in conjunction with a Gannett Wisconsin Media Investigative Team eight-day-long series, “Under the Influence,” that examines issues related to chronic OWI offenders.
Hetzler’s research focuses on the effects of alcohol and drugs on the brain. He has been a presenter at the World Congress of the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism.
Joining Hetzler on the panel will be:
• Brown County Judge Donald Zuidmulder
• Appleton criminal defense attorney John Carrol
• Brown County OWI Task Force coordinator Mike Panosh
• Community advocate and Nova Counseling Services of Oshkosh representative Serah Muinde
• Neenah Police Chief Kevin Wilkinson
• Amanda Timm, a Menasha resident whose father was struck and killed by a repeat drunken driver
• John Schaus of Appleton, an eight-time OWI offender who is confident he will never drink and drive again.
According to state statistics, Wisconsin is home to more than 8,000 people who have been convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence at least five times. More than 500 people have at least eight OWIs.
In 2013, 35 people in Winnebago County were convicted of a fifth or greater OWI while in Brown County 50-60 people annually are convicted of their fifth or more OWI.
About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2015 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.
