HAMILTON — A 2004 graduate of Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School is one of 10 students at a New Orleans university facing hazing charges stemming from a fraternity initiation last month.
Tulane University senior Nicholas Maddern, 22, of South Hamilton is one of eight students arrested and charged with aggravated second-degree battery in connection with the April 25 initiation.
The Pi Kappa Alpha initiation ceremony known as "hell night" sent two pledges to the hospital with second- and third-degree burns after New Orleans police said the victims had boiling water and pepper spray poured on their bodies.
Two other students had warrants for their arrests issued on the same charge.
No one answered the phone at Maddern's home on Old Cart Road.
Maddern is due to graduate in May.
A Tulane spokesman refused to comment on the allegations or the status of the students yesterday, but the school issued a news release saying it had suspended its chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha and would investigate.
"This fraternity is no longer a recognized fraternity at Tulane," the school's news release said. "The university has zero tolerance for any type of hazing or other incident which can potentially endanger the well-being of any student."
Two of the victims were burned in various parts of their bodies and were treated at a New Orleans hospital. A Pi Kappa Alpha national spokesman said yesterday the fraternity would issue a statement later.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
