Oct. 23, 2012

COLLEGE PARK, MD. - Student Welfare and Career Development, in conjunction with the Maryland Greek community, sponsored a special program "DRINKTHINK" on the serious nature of alcohol consumption on college campuses across North America. The program, attended by more than 300 Maryland students, took place during the first week of October at Ritchie Coliseum on the College Park campus.

Rick Barnes, who has delivered speeches to more than 2,00 campuses across the country, was the keynote speaker. Barnes shared the dangers of alcohol consumption with an informative hour-long presentation.

TJ Guidice, a redshirt freshman on the wrestling team, thought Barnes did an excellent job of engaging the audience with an interactive presentation while probing why underage drinking has become such a national dilemma.

"It was a realistic approach to a real problem," said Guidice.

Barnes is known for his use of an unorthodox approach to communicate the relevant and serious nature of alcohol consumption on college campuses across North America. He built a quick rapport with the Terps' students using humor and real life examples of issues facing college students and alcohol in the United States.

All the students participating in the seminar were quick to remark that Barnes was able to drive home the important message of the perils of alcohol during his presentation.

"He did an outstanding job of being able identify with each of us in the room," said Shaquille Cleare, a freshman on the men's basketball team. "This was a very beneficial seminar for me to participate in, especially since I am in my first semester of college at the University of Maryland."