This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
The “Take A Stand” 5K race held this month raised more than $1,000 for Heifer International, an international program that alleviates poverty.
Organized by the student chapter of American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Students for Social Justice, the May 3 event featured 68 runners, generating $1,033 in donations through signup fees and sponsors.
Nate Durning ’06 (Evanston, Ill.) finished first in the men’s division, while Allison Ligorano ’06 (Clinton, N.J.) took the women’s race. Each received a $10 gift certificate to Don Pablo’s restaurant.
The top fundraisers, the donations they generated, and their prizes, in order: A.B. engineering and mathematics-economics double major Nicole Joy ’04 (Windham, Maine), $150, $25 gift certificate to Wegmans and State Radio’s new CD; electrical and computer engineering major Merhawi Redda ’05 (Alexandria, Va.), $144, $20 gift certificate to Campus Pizza and Restrung’s new CD; mechanical engineering graduate Christopher Therkorn ’01, $120, $20 gift certificate to Campus Pizza; Durning, $105, $20 gift certificate to Posey Peddler; neuroscience major Meghan Ramsey ’04 (Lakeville, Minn.), $84, $10 gift certificate to Jack Creek Steakhouse.
Gift certificates of $10 for Jack Creek Steakhouse or Don Pablo’s were given to the next five highest fund-raisers.
Ligorano also won the raffle drawing for a free meal at Mother’s Bar and Grill.
In addition to the groups named above, Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Student Government helped make the fundraiser possible.
“I thought the event went incredibly well, considering this was the first year we organized it,” says mechanical engineering major Matt Verbyla ’06 (Unionville, Conn.), a member of both SSJ and ASME and one of several event organizers. “I’d like to make this an annual event, and hopefully inform the Lafayette community about the causes and results of global poverty, and allow them to be able to do something about it.”
He notes that the event’s success was enabled by the “hard work, help, and dedication” of his fellow organizers: mechanical engineering major Monika Serrano ’04 (Caracas, Venezuela), biology major Nick Katchen ’04, and Christine Bender ’04 (Gibsonia, Pa.), a double major in neuroscience and economics & business who recently won a scholarship for outstanding volunteer and academic work (see related story).
The race started at 1 p.m. in front of Gilbert’s. Easton police officers helped escort runners through the streets of College Hill.
Heifer International provides heifer animals and training in their care to hungry families around the world to help them feed themselves and become self-reliant. Children receive nutritious milk or eggs; families earn income for school, health care, and better housing; and farmers learn sustainable, environmentally sound agricultural techniques.
Students for Social Justice also organized the Walkout for Peace and Teach-In following spring break, as well as numerous other events this school year (see related article).