Reports show cause of star athlete's death

By Ian Clift
Summer Reporter

The immediate cause of death for former Purdue track and basketball star Corissa Yasen was listed as "Acute MultiDrug Overdose," according to a coroner's report.

Suicide was listed as the manner of death according to Robert West, Kootenai County coroner, in an official statement.

The West Lafayette community knew Yasen as one of the best athletes in Purdue history; she was found dead in her apartment in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on May 12 at age 27.

"In a difficult situation like this, you need to remember the vibrancy of life and the gifts that Corissa brought to all of us," said Morgan Burke, athletic director for Purdue University.

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Vice president to work with former employer

When one of Purdue's new vice presidents begins at the University July 1, he will also begin a new role as a member of a governing board for his former employer — Iowa State University.

Murray Blackwelder, Purdue's first senior vice president for advancement, is the former vice president of external affairs at Iowa State and served as president of the 16-member Iowa State University Foundation — a foundation that is in charge of policymaking and fund raising.

He was recently nominated to the foundation governors who supervise the foundation. The foundation governors consist of nominated members who pledge to help Iowa State and supervise the foundation. The governors receive no salary from the university.

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Dean of Education to step down from position at end of the week

Marilyn Haring decided a year and a half ago that 10 years was long enough as dean of the School of Education. She will be stepping down at the end of this week.

"She's been dean for 10 years," said H.E. Rud, interim head of the education studies department and former associate dean. "She would like to devote time to research and teaching and caring for her father."