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Dubbed the “Slush Rush” because of the likelihood of snow, the race is being held in remembrance of Xylia Peterson, ’85, an international student at SUNY Fredonia who went on to become an important, contributing member of the community before she died tragically in an automobile accident at the age of 45.
The Xylia Peterson ’85 Memorial Fund was established in her memory to provide international education scholarships to full-time juniors and seniors at Fredonia.
“Local business owners have been incredibly supportive,” explained Mary Sasso, director of the International Education Center. “Our students have already collected hundreds of dollars in donations to raffle off on race day and there are more coming in every day. Their support of international education means so much to us.”
Peterson was from Sri Lanka and worked as a secretary at SUNY Fredonia for the Vice President of Administration. Her family stated, “Xylia was a dedicated and hard worker. She was kind of heart, had a positive attitude, and lived life to its fullest. She loved her family and was an avid quilter and gardener.”
To register for the race the community fee is $15 and the student fee is $10, which includes a T-shirt, food, refreshments and a raffle ticket. Lunch will be served to runners following the race in the Williams Center Multipurpose Room.
To register, call the International Education Center at 716-673-3451, pick up an application at 6 LoGrasso Hall, or apply online at www.fredonia.edu/internationaleducation. Registration will also be held on race day from 9 to 10:30 a.m.