A criminal justice and criminology major took home the grand prize in Alpha Phi Sigma's murder-mystery contest.
Maria DiRuzza, a junior, was one of 13 people to successfully guess the identity of the "murderer" in last week's game. Everyone who guessed correctly had his or her name placed into a drawing Wednesday for a $50 Simon gift card, and DiRuzza's name was selected. She was notified on Thursday.
"I thought it was pretty neat, the fact that they set it up like an actual murder," DiRuzza said. "It's a good idea and something extra to do that's fun and related to our major."
The organization set up a bulletin board on North Quad's second floor on which it posted clues throughout the week leading to the person who "murdered" professor Taiping Ho. DiRuzza said she checked the board before class every day a new clue was posted.
DiRuzza said she plans to use the gift card to go on a "shopping spree."
The contest did not produce as many participants as Alpha Phi Sigma had originally hoped. Nathan Monroe, president of the organization, said around 20 people attempted to guess the identity of the "murderer," who turned out to be professor Gregory Morrison.
"It was kind of like a learning experience," Monroe said. "It was a good experience for the organization, and we got a real chance to learn a lot from it."
Monroe said he saw a number of people viewing the bulletin board of evidence who never formally guessed.
In the end, the organization lost money after paying for the prize. Despite the loss, Monroe said he feels the event generated discussion.
"It gave a lot of people pause to talk about the organization," he said. "In that way it was very successful."
Before the event started, murder-mystery committee member Anna Copenhaver said the group was not completely concerned with making a profit.
"Money is not the issue," she said. "This is a rebuilding year, and we just want to get our name back out there."
Monroe said in the past the organization has been inactive. The members have taken steps to change that this school year, including organizing an intramural softball game with the University Police, a trip to the Pendleton Penitentiary and the murder-mystery contest. The group also has a March trip planned to the FBI building in Indianapolis.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
