The March 4 run/walk will raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
By Oliver Fischer
The Alpha Kappa Psi chapter at Elon University is holding a 5k run at the intramural fields on the south side of the Elon campus on March 4 to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“We really wanted to increase our philanthropy involvement on campus,” said Meghan Lucas, president of Elon's chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional co-ed business fraternity.
Elon University and other college and university campuses have been touched by student suicides in the past. In 2015, the Elon community mourned the death of junior Trent Stetler, an Alpha Kappa Psi member and men’s rugby club member. Lucas said the event was named in honor of their brother. “Because of that we wanted to make this in honor of him and his family, so it is called the Trent Stetler 5K,” Lucas said.
This community-driven event seeks to inform students about resources available to them. “Whether they’re walking the race, running the race or just coming to the end, we’ll have the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention there and they’ll speak to us,” Lucas said.
A number of corporate sponsors who have donated items will also be present. “We’re really just trying to create an open place where people feel like they can honor those who have we have lost,” Lucas said.
To participate in the race, runners can sign up by emailing Lucas at mlucas10@elon.edu or by emailing the vice president of Alpha Kappa Psi, Monique Hanna, at mhanna3@elon.edu.
Advance registration is not required. “If you do not sign up before, you can just come to the event,” Lucas said. It costs $15 to run as a team or $20 to run as an individual, according to Lucas.
“100 percent of our proceeds will be donated to our philanthropy,” Lucas said.