Mizzou Miles raises scholarship money for 'working students'

By Jewels Phraner

Published April 3, 2007

A stampede of students tore through campus March 21 when about 40 students participated in the first-annual Mizzou Mile.

Racers, who attempted to raise money for a working-student scholarship, started the mile-long run or walk at Tiger Plaza, near the corner of Rollins Road and Missouri Avenue, and competed for prizes in the fastest male, fastest female and most-spirited categories.

But even those who weren't noted for their speed or level of MU spirit didn't leave empty-handed.

"We were able to get enough sponsorships so that every participant walked away with something," said Lucie Macias, event organizer and Mizzou Student Foundation member.

The Mizzou Student Foundation sponsored the event to raise awareness about the importance of private donations on students' lives.

"Private donations can impact students in many ways whether it be through hiring and retaining wonderful faculty, scholarships or building or enhancing projects and buildings," Development Director Teri Gray said.

The Office of Service-Learning, the Department of Student Life and the Office of Development also helped plan the event, but the Mizzou Student Foundation did most of the organizing.

"The student leaders of the Mizzou Student Foundation did an excellent job putting together a wonderful event," said Anne-Marie Foley, director of the Office of Service-Learning. "I was very proud of them."

In order to raise awareness, volunteers held signs along the race route that displayed facts about the university that students might not know.

Also, students who participated paid a $5 registration fee, and all profits from the event went toward a scholarship benefiting students who also have jobs.

The event raised more than $200, which will be added to another $500 that was raised earlier this year for the scholarship fund.

The scholarship will be available to applicants at the end of the semester.

"Working students really suffer the most," said Shaina Shorr, public relations director for Mizzou Mile and a member of the Mizzou Student Foundation. "They have a much lower retention rate than non-working students."

Members of the Mizzou Student Foundation are also planning to work with the University Bookstore later this semester to raise awareness about the bookstore's relationship with the MU campus and MU students.

Proceeds from that fundraiser will also go toward the scholarship fund.

The Mizzou Student Foundation hopes to continue organizing fundraisers to offer a $500 working-student scholarship every semester with fellow sponsors in agreement.

"I hope the Mizzou Mile becomes a tradition here at the university," Foley said.