As part of the ongoing AIDS Awareness Week, Bill Stierle spoke in ICC Auditorium Wednesday evening about the lessons he learned from his son’s death from AIDS. In his presentation, Stierle encouraged students to realize the importance of the AIDS issue.

A student at the renowned Joffrey Ballet School, Edward Stierle contracted HIV six months after leaving home at the age of 18, according to his father. Before his death in 1991, he asked his father to inform young people about the gravity of the matter.

“Ed said `Pop, go tell people [about AIDS]’ so that’s what I’m here to do,” Stierle told students.

In a television interview with Stierle before his death, the young dancer discussed the themes of death and suffering. At the time, he was performing the principal role in a dance piece that explored these topics.

“Young people are being confronted with death so young,” Stierle said. Although Stierle did not know it at the time, Stierle’s father explained the dance piece was an expression of the inner turmoil that his son was experiencing as a result of being HIV- positive.

To conclude the presentation Stierle stressed the importance of engaging in safe sexual activity, advising students to make practical life choices.

“Engage your brain before you give your body away,” he said. “The only way you can get AIDS is to give it to yourself.”

Stierle’s presentation was one of the many events that are taking place for AIDS Awareness Week 2000 at Georgetown.

“[AIDS Awareness Week] serves as a reminder for students to think about how they are affected personally by HIV and how other people in the world are affected by it,” co-chair of the event John Daly said. Daly is an area coordinator for Alumni Square.

“People know that AIDS is out there but they don’t think it will impact their lives,” Co-chair of AIDS Awareness Week Linda Kelly said. She said she believes that the epidemic is more widespread than many seem to realize. “People at this age think they’re invincible,” she said.

Director of Special Programs Ellen Nelson Van Bever agreed.

“The fastest growing population of AIDS are people under 25,” Van Bever said. “Especially [at risk] are those who think they will never get it.”

According to Van Bever, recent statistics show that the affected percentage of the homosexual population is decreasing, while the percentage of heterosexual people contracting the virus is on the rise. The number of young women and children falling victim to AIDS is gradually escalating as well, she said.

“College students need to know more about [this disease] and how it impacts their age group,” she said.

On Monday, the unveiling of a world map showing the number of people living with AIDS around the world kicked off the series of events. The map will be on display in the Leavey Program Room through Monday.

On Tuesday, Dr. Eva Piessens, who works with infectious diseases at the Georgetown University Hospital, discussed current trends with the AIDS epidemic in a presentation entitled “OUTakes.”

The film “Longtime Companion,” which provided a perspective on the disease as it was becoming an issue in the 1980s, was also shown Wednesday. The film highlighted the relationships between a group of friends and the ways in which AIDS affected them.

Other events throughout the week included a memorial service that took place in St. Williams Chapel on Thursday and a Reading of Names in Red Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. A portion of the AIDS quilt will be on display in the Leavey Program room through today as well. In addition, free anonymous HIV testing is being offered.

AIDS Week concludes on Monday with a presentation by AIDS activist Rae Lewis Thornton. Featured on the cover of Essence agazine, Thornton also appeared on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Nightline” with Ted Koppel. As an award-winning speaker living with AIDS, Thornton will give her personal story and provide students with advice and information about the epidemic. Sponsored by the Lecture Fund, her presentation, entitled “Living With Aids” will take place in the ICC Auditorium.

The Diversity Working Group, which sponsors AIDS Awareness Week with the collaboration of Campus Ministry, Residence Life, the Law and Medical Centers, Health Education Services, OIP, the Lecture Fund and the Community Action Coalition, was established in February 1997.

According to its Web site, the group’s objective is to make diversity a reality in all aspects of university life. An organization composed of faculty, students and administration, members hope to achieve campus-wide tolerance through educational programs.