Giving Back: The Iron Scholarship Fund

College is a significant and life-changing accomplishment, with value for enhancing self-esteem and confidence, civic involvement and lifetime earnings. While some first decide to attend college for “a piece of paper,” upon graduation many students realize their lives have been enriched in ways they never imagined on their first day as a college freshman.

Yet, for some students this accomplishment is either out of reach or made exceedingly difficult by the costs associated with a college education. Rising tuition costs have increased the sacrifices that many students must make, including attending only part-time, working full or part time jobs, sacrificing study time to pay the bills. For students with economic hardship, these challenges can be almost insurmountable. As a professor at Rowan University, I see these struggles firsthand. And, I lived them as an undergraduate 15 years ago.

So, what does this have to do with a blog about running and triathlon? As part of my Ironman Lake Placid 2010 journey, I am raising money for The Iron Scholarship, which will benefit economically disadvantaged students in good academic standing (as indicated by a 3.0 GPA). For those of you who may not know, the Ironman is a challenging 140.6 mile race, that includes a 2.4 swim, a 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run. This race must be completed in less than 17 hours. These races are held all over the world, and the series culminates in the World Championships, which are held in Kona, Hawaii each October.

This clip offers an overview of the Lake Placid Ironman.

The Lake Placid Ironman, held on July 25, 2010, will be my first attempt at the distance. It will probably take me 13-14 hours to complete. To be ready for this effort, I will train thousands of miles in swimming, biking and running . The Ironman is my dream, just as a college education is a dream for many students. Each mile I swim, bike or ride will be dedicated to raising funds for the Iron Scholarship, to help students achieve their dreams.

My goal is to raise $5,000. For more information about the fund and how to donate, please visit The Iron Scholarship Fund page on this blog.

Will you help me by donating to this cause and sharing the link with others?

Over the next 38 weeks, I will be posting updates about my fundraising and training. Please visit often, and share your thoughts and suggestions. Not only is this my first Ironman, it is the first time I’ve engaged in this type of fundraising. If you have tips or tricks to help me achieve my goal, please share.

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