Stride to Survive Memorial Walk this Friday
By Megan Helgeson, writer
April 25, 2008 | 8:25 p.m.
Terms such as “shooting” and “college campus” bring to mind the tragic events at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University. The Ohio University Stride to Survive 5k Memorial Walk serves to remember the victims, support the universities and inform students.
Organized by OU’s Student Alumni Board (SAB), the 5k Memorial Walk will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 25 starting at Ping Recreation Center. There is a $10 preregistration fee or a $12 registration fee the day of the walk that includes refreshments and t-shirts on a “first come, first served” basis.
Anyone who wants to participate can register Thursday at Baker University Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Boyd Dining Hall from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., or Friday at Ping before the walk.
“All proceeds will benefit [the] memorial scholarship funds at both universities,” according to a flier for the walk.
The motto “Students Now. Alumni Later. Bobcats Forever” corresponds with one of SAB’s goals for the walk: to “connect students and alumni and do a philanthropy event,” said sophomore Gwen Hubach, the SAB president.
OU graduate student Megan Stone, who did her undergraduate studies at VT, will speak to kick off the walk. One of Stone's best friends was killed during the VT shooting.
“Ultimately our main goal is that the lost are not forgotten,” said senior Lauren Farley, the event program manager.
To commemorate those who were lost, there will be pictures of the victims along with facts about each person, including his or her name, age and school.
Besides giving support and honoring the students, the walk is also meant to “raise awareness on our campus,” Hubach said. Information about OU’s safety procedures will be given, such as the safety patrol team’s ability to walk anyone home at night.
“We will be giving out bookmarks on how to sign-up for emergency text messaging and providing statistics about violence and shooting and what our university has to offer,” Farley said.
It is important that OU students are prepared for any emergencies that might occur on campus. “We are all students and [shootings] could happen anywhere,” Farley said.
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