Campus Files: The Hazing of George Desdunes – Detailed Summary
Episode Title: The Hazing of George Desdunes
Release Date: March 12, 2025
Host/Author: Audacy
Podcast Description: College holds a mythic place in American culture—hailed as the best four years of your life and revered as a beacon of integrity and excellence. But behind the polished campus tours and glossy brochures lies a far more complicated reality. Each episode of Campus Files uncovers a new story, exploring everything from rigged admissions to sports scandals, free speech, and hazing. Consider this your unofficial campus tour.
1. Introduction
Margo Gray opens the episode by setting the stage for a harrowing tale of hazing within a prestigious university fraternity. The focus is on George Desdunes, a dedicated student whose life was tragically cut short due to fraternity misconduct. The episode delves into the complexities of hazing, its impact on individuals and families, and the broader implications for college campuses across America.
2. George's Background and College Life
George Desdunes was a sophomore at Cornell University in February 2011, diligently studying to become a doctor. He was known for his academic excellence and active participation in various extracurricular activities, including being the captain of the soccer team, a member of the swim team, and the jazz band.
Marie Andre, George’s mother, shares insights into George's upbringing:
[02:07] Marie Andre: "George was a child who wanted to learn everything at a young age. He loves to read, loved math and science."
Raised by Marie alone after George's father passed away when George was two, she worked tirelessly to provide George with the best opportunities, sending him to Berkeley Carroll, a private school in Brooklyn.
3. Joining the Fraternity and Hazing Experience
Determined to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor, George set his sights on Cornell University. Upon his acceptance, he joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity, believing it to be a standard organizational commitment without realizing the extent of the pledging process.
Doug Fearberg, an attorney specializing in fraternity misconduct, explains:
[06:37] Doug Fearberg: "The brotherhood exerts extreme amount of control over the pledges and uses their interest in becoming a member to pressure them to engage in various activities that results in hazing traditions developing and continuing and becoming more and more dangerous."
Despite the grueling pledging process, George navigated his freshman year, securing friendships, study partners, and a room in SAE's prestigious Hillcrest house.
4. The Hazing Incident and George’s Death
In his sophomore year, George became entangled in a sinister fraternity tradition where pledges were expected to exert dominance over upperclassmen. The pledge class that year failed to meet these expectations, leading to increased pressure and ultimately, George's downfall.
Doug Fearberg details the incident:
[12:18] Doug Fearberg: "The identified pledge that was responsible for making sure that brothers were transported. Other pledges got in the car, all with the intent on responding to George, but rather than taking him back to the fraternity house to kidnap him and engage in the very thing that they were berated for not having done."
On a Thursday night in February 2011, after a night out, George called for a ride—a routine duty for SAE members. Instead of a safe return, he was kidnapped by other pledges who subjected him to a series of abusive rituals, including forced consumption of various concoctions and excessive alcohol. George was left unconscious in the fraternity house, where he later died from alcohol poisoning.
Marie Andre recounts her anguish upon learning of George's death:
[17:01] Marie Andre: "I saw two police officers and they told me they got a call from the police at Cornell to say that my son died in his sleep. And I said, no, that's not true. ... I lost my child."
5. Marie Andre's Grief and Fight for Justice
The immediate aftermath saw the fraternity attempting to cover up the incident by claiming George had died from casual drinking. Despite initial criminal charges against four students, all were acquitted, leaving Marie devastated and without closure.
Determined to seek justice, Marie connected with Doug Fearberg, who had extensive experience advocating for families affected by hazing. Together, they embarked on a legal battle to uncover the truth behind George's death.
Doug Fearberg emphasizes the struggle to reveal the reality:
[21:01] Doug Fearberg: "It took years of effort to punch through those lies, to get at the truth. By virtue of civil litigation, so that George's mother could understand the true circumstances that led to the death of her son and to hold them legally responsible."
6. Legal Battle and Reforms
Through persistent legal efforts, Fearberg and Marie obtained expert testimonies that contradicted the fraternity's narrative. Experts confirmed that George's high blood alcohol content could only have been achieved through forced consumption, not casual drinking.
As a result of the civil case, several policy changes were implemented:
- SAE Abolished the Pledging Process: Following another hazing-related death in 2014, SAE decided to eliminate pledging altogether.
- Cornell University Implemented Reforms: Introduction of live-in advisors, mandatory safety protocols, and the fraternity was forced to vacate its house.
- Memorial for George: Cornell collaborated with Marie to create a memorial plaque for George, emphasizing the consequences of hazing.
Doug Fearberg reflects on the systemic issues:
[25:35] Doug Fearberg: "I'm also extremely cynical about fraternities... it's disgusting to me that... they have not cleaned their own houses... their focus is... on how to structure the organization so that foreseen and anticipated risk of injury and death does not overtly affect them financially."
7. Legacy and Legislative Impact
Marie Andre's relentless pursuit of justice inspired a community of affected families, leading to significant legislative progress. In December 2024, President Biden signed the first-ever federal anti-hazing law. This legislation mandates:
- Documentation and Reporting: Colleges and universities must document and publicly report hazing incidents annually.
- Comprehensive Prevention Programs: Institutions are required to develop and enforce robust hazing prevention strategies.
Marie played a pivotal role in advocating for this law, sharing her story with lawmakers and communities to ensure no other family endures the pain she faced.
Doug Fearberg shares his emotional journey:
[31:53] Doug Fearberg: "When I first went to meet Marie... it's hard to describe the emotions... I know that was the circumstance of meeting Marie on her own turf and that I will never forget."
Conclusion
"The Hazing of George Desdunes" is a poignant exploration of the dark underbelly of fraternity life in American colleges. Through George's story and Marie Andre's unwavering determination, Campus Files sheds light on the persistent issue of hazing, the failures of institutional oversight, and the ongoing fight for meaningful reforms. This episode not only honors George's memory but also serves as a call to action to ensure the safety and integrity of future students.
Notable Quotes:
- [02:07] Marie Andre: "George was a child who wanted to learn everything at a young age. He loves to read, loved math and science."
- [12:18] Doug Fearberg: "The identified pledge that was responsible for making sure that brothers were transported... instead of taking him back to the fraternity house to kidnap him..."
- [17:01] Marie Andre: "I lost my child. Those kids, they get to go home."
- [25:35] Doug Fearberg: "I'm also extremely cynical about fraternities... they are focused... on how to structure the organization so that... risk of injury and death does not overtly affect them financially."
Credits:
- Written and Reported by: Ian Mont
- Produced by: Ian Mont, Eliot Adler, and Margo Gray
- Executive Producers and Story Editors: Maddie Sprunkiser and Lloyd Lockridge
- Edited, Mixed, and Mastered by: Chris Basel and Andy Jaskowicz
- Theme Music by: James Waterman and Davey Sumner
For tips or story ideas, email campusfilespod@gmail.com.