Posted on Dec 23, 2004

From “Friends,” a photo of the roadside memorial from the November 2000 car crash at Colgate University


Union College's Nott Memorial will host an exhibition aimed at deterring young people from drinking and driving.


“Friends: One Day, One Wrong Turn” chronicles the effects of a November 2000 car crash at Colgate University that claimed the lives of four college students — Katie Almeter, Emily Collins, Kevin King and Rachel Nargiso.


The show, free and open to the public, runs Jan. 10 through Feb. 27 in Dyson Hall, the first floor of the Nott Memorial, the campus centerpiece building. The show is open during regular Nott Memorial hours: daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 388-6004.


An opening reception is Thursday, Jan. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. with remarks by Union College President Roger Hull; Schenectady Police Chief Michael Geraci; Doris Aiken, director of Remove Intoxicated Drivers (RID); Denis Foley, exhibit curator; and members of the victims' families.


The exhibition focuses on the lives of the victims with individual histories, photos, possessions, interviews and recordings. The aftermath that the families, friends, police and community were left with is included as well.


The combination of these elements creates an emotional reaction in observers, with the goal of behavioral change. This approach creates a powerful message that may deter college-age students from driving after consuming alcohol. The exhibition will travel to colleges and universities throughout New York State.


Friends is a traveling exhibition sponsored by the Lewis Henry Morgan Institute at SUNYIT in Utica, N.Y. It is curated by Denis Foley in collaboration with Rachel Seligman, director of the Mandeville Gallery of Union College.


For more on the show, visit: http://people.sunyit.edu/~lhmi/Friends/