The SUNY Fredonia International Education Center hosted its inaugural 3K fun run recently on the Fredonia campus. $2,248 was raised from registration, donations, and raffle ticket sales that went to the Xylia Peterson ’85 Memorial Fund. The proceeds provide scholarship assistance to junior or senior level international students who need financial assistance to complete his/her degree.
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Dubbed the “Slush Rush” because of the likelihood of the melting, late winter snow, the “slush” was lacking due to the bitter 21 degree weather. However, the cold did not stop the 140 community members, faculty, staff, and students from participating in the polar bear run.
The race was 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.
“For those of you who ran extra slowly and let me beat you, thanks,” joked SUNY Fredonia President, Dennis Hefner. “I think the event was wonderful. Xylia was a terrific member of our campus community and to have so many people come out and support her made for a glorious Slush Rush.”
“I don’t think this event could have gone any better,” explained Mary Sasso, Director of the International Education Center. “It exceeded all of our expectations, and I can not thank the runners, sponsors, and our Slush Rush ‘brain team’ enough.”
After all participants crossed the finish line, a lunch was provided by SUNY Fredonia’s Faculty Student Association, and 52 prizes were raffled off that were donated from various businesses around the Fredonia and Dunkirk area. Prizes ranged from gift certificates, merchandise give-a-ways, to a trip to New York City.
“I do think that this should be a tradition at the school. I think events that bring the community together for one cause is a great thing,” said Carolyn Bowerman, a runner at the event. “Fredonia is known for being a close town, school and environment; working together for one common cause says a lot about us.”
The Slush Rush is set to return March 7, 2010, and plans to become a Fredonia tradition the first Sunday of every March.
