Parts of Univ. to host fundraiser for Ryan Diviney

A fundraiser will be held Saturday to help the family of a West Virginia University student who was put into a minimally conscious state after being attacked on campus in 2009.

Ryan Diviney, a former sophomore political science major, was attacked outside the Willey Street Dairy Mart on Nov. 7, 2009.

The fundraiser is Saturday at Dragonfly Restaurant from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and will be hosted by the Student Government Association, Sigma Alpha Mu-Epsilon Theta and The Rubber U. All proceeds will go directly to Ryan's care.

"I have personally made it my mission to bring about light to Ryan's beating, hospitalization and recovery," said Daniel Brewster, a sociology professor and the Diviney's family friend. "I think that students need to be aware of the potential for violence."

During the event there will be a silent auction and raffles for prizes such as golf packages, Kenny Chesney concert tickets and gift cards from local businesses.

Last April, two of Ryan's friends along with Brewster raised more than $8,000 to aid Ryan's family and his recovery. Since leaving the care of the hospital in April 2010, the Diviney family has been taking care of Ryan from their house, resulting in high medical bills.

Brewster said he is hoping to beat last year's turnout of more than 700 people who came out to support the family.

"Ryan's sister is a current student at WVU and chose to come here even in the wake of this horrific crime, and I want her to personally know that the WVU community is supportive of Ryan and her entire family," he said.

Kari Diviney, a freshman general studies major and Ryan's sister, said she is pleased with the support she and her family have received from WVU and the Morgantown community.

Ryan and Kari's father, Ken, will also be attending the event.

"We rely on communities to help us with his care because we just can't do it on our own," Ken said. "Morgantown has really stepped up and done a great job with helping us out, and we really appreciate that."

Brewster said he hopes the event will make students think before they act to avoid violent situations.

"I don't think that Morgantown and the WVU campus are dissimilar to anywhere else in the country," he said. "We are a nation that has become so desensitized to violence that we ignore the realities and ramifications of the actions."

Ken said it was WVU's reputation to be a safe campus and students should keep each other safe.

"It is a matter of school reputation that they need to be conscientious of student safety and take the steps necessary to ensure that students around campus are safe," Diviney said.

For more information on Ryan and his family or to make a donation visit http://rallyforryan.wordpress.com.