University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

Page 209 text:

Luminary bags encircling the track on Palmer Field and resting high on the hill spelling out the word Hope light the way for participant walkers of the Relay for Life in March.This event was the first annual Relay for Life for the University. . Neff Photo Relay for Life co-chair Betsy Chase, junior political science major, and her friends set up Palmer Field on the morning of the event. During this inaugural year, the Relay committees were successful in signing up a total of 72 teams. Photo courtesy of E. Chase Braving the cold weather, two bundled students make a lap around the track together. Relay for Life had 750 participants in its inaugural year and raised a total of approximately $89,000. . Neff photo Relay for Life 205

Page 208 text:

RELAY FOR LIFE Walking for 24 hours, alone, around a track, is not the first idea that conies to mind when one imagines Relay for Life. However, in 1985, that is exactly how it happened. Raising S27,()(K), Dr. Gordan Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours in order to raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS). On April 5, 2003, the University held its own inaugural relay on Palmer Field. Raising $86,000, the 750 participants helped the University place itself in the top ten Relay fundraisers for the year. It also won the Great Lakes Heart of Relay award for best college relay in its division, and came in second nationally an astonishing feat for its first year. Relay for Life was a celebration of life lives lost and lives saved. Teams w alked around the track for 24 hours and raised money for cancer research. It was the main charity benefit for ACS, raising more than $245 million in 2002. Being involved with Relay for Life has been an absolutely phenomenal experience. It is amazing to see hundreds of students come together to remember those lost to cancer and to honor those who have survived, said 2004 Relay co-chair junior Betsy Chase. This year, participators and members of the Relay For Life committees hoped to raise even more money. Volunteers worked ceaselessly, contacting students and adults to participate and businesses in the hopes that they would sponsor the event. The Relay for Life committee members worked diligently to increase campus awareness. We are hosting skating nights at Yost, bar nights at Ricks, handing out flyers and hot chocolate on the Diag and setting up tables in the basement of the union to talk to people and spread the word. We want as many people as possible to know about Relay and the wonderful benefits which accrue from participation in this event, said 2004 Recruitment Chair, junior Marie Kendy. 2004 Relay co-chair, junior Kate Lennox, added, Besides raising money, our hope is to create more awareness and education so our generation will keep on fighting for a cure [for cancer]. Front Row: Kiersten Walther. Sara Badger. Jamie Nollar. Marie Kendy, Julia Farber, Ericha Ramsey. Row 2: Nina Lamia, Elisabeth Siciliano, Elizabeth Chase, Katharine Lennox. Stephanie Rayos, Jessica Leung. Back Row: Jessica Sachs.Ashley Felts, Katie Murtha. Stephanie Allan, Lindsey Fediuk. Nicole Wouczyna. Michael Leago, Evan Major, Mary Katherine Zevalkink. M. Maritila photo 204 Organizations

Page 210 text:

STUDENT ALUMNI COUNCIL Have you ever wondered about how your ' I bleed maize and blue ' spirit continues after you leave the University? Members of the Student Alumni Council (SAC) didn ' t have to wait to find out. The vision of the group was to help bridge the gap between the alumni and the current student population. Working alongside the Alumni Association, committees planned various activities for students to take part in. President Elise Freimuth, senior film and English major, explained, By creating committees we are allow members to learn leadership skills by working on large scale events. SAC functioned under an Executive Board consisting of a Freimuth and six vice presidents. The group held bi-weekly meetings at the Alumni Center in order to plan and organize the events. In addition, SAC was responsible for giving out the Student Legacy Award at the Michigan Leadership Awards Ceremony. Vice President Niraj Patel, senior business major, commented, We review the accomplishments of students on campus and reward them with a lifetime membership to the Alumni Association so they can continue making an impact on the University. Exam Kits, another service offered by SAC, provided a way for parents to send care packages around exam times to students living off-campus. Working together with the Alumni Association, SAC created a program called Student Alumni Connections. The program allowed an alumnus to sit down with a group of selected students for a roundtable discussion. Students asked the alumnus for advice about making the best of their time at the University. Members of SAC were on a point system and were required to attain 500 participation points before they became a full member. Points could be earned in a variety of ways. They traveled to the Northwestern away football game with the Alumni Association and had a retreat to a winter resort in northern Michigan after winter break called Michigania.Tae- Kyung Kim, junior Political Science major andVP, expressed, Michigania... creates a great opportunity to reflect on our past successes and future goals. You get to be in each others company outside of the school setting. This group bursting with Michigan pride and spirit worked extremely hard all year to make the years events a success. By the end of the year, SAC members achieved their main goal and purpose of being the link between Wolverines past and present. Front Row: Shefali Saxena, Donika Gou. Niraj Patel, Nikhil Kumtha. Kathleen Crone. Row 2: Bo Mee Chu, Carmen Gruber, Elise Freimuth, Carrie Rheingans, Tae-Kyung Kim. Back Row: Teresa Elliott Mary Vanek, Ian Freimuth, Daniel Grano, Holly Nartker, Bianca Gruber. L., Worcester photo 206 Organizations