Students, instructor taking icy dip for charity

Four “winners” of the Colden Pond Plunge will brave the elements during one of the coldest winters in recent memory at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29 -- “leap day” -- by jumping into the small reservoir located behind Colden Hall on the Northwest campus.

The foursome, consisting of three students and a faculty member, was selected after raising the most money in the latest Up ‘til Dawn effort in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

For the past several days, students and others have been placing money in containers in the J.W. Jones Student Union labeled with the names of Colden Pond Plunge contestants. The top earners now have the privilege of taking a dip in the pond, which has been ice covered for weeks. If it remains so, Campus Safety officers are prepared to cut a hole in the ice in time for the event.

The quartet taking the plunge includes Logan Galloway (raised $134), a senior business management/marketing major from Des Moines; Steven Wilson of Alpha Kappa Lambda (raised $132), a sophomore elementary education major from Plattsburg; Rod Barr (raised $108), an instructor in the University’s Department of Agriculture; and Wesley Miller of Phi Delta Theta (raised $82), a senior broadcasting major from Raytown.

According to organizers of the student-led charity drive, the bottom of Colden Pond will be checked for obstructions prior to the event. In addition, emergency medical technicians, lifeguards, divers, firefighters and Campus Safety officers will be on hand to provide any necessary assistance. ARAMARK, the University’s food service provider, has donated hot chocolate for the plungers to drink after they get out of the water.

In the event of extremely severe weather, the plunge will be rescheduled for 1 p.m. Friday March 7.

Altogether, the Colden Pond Plunge effort raised $700 for the hospital, which provides care to children with life-threatening illnesses without regard to their families’ ability to pay.

Founded in 1998, Up 'Til Dawn has grown into a nationwide philanthropy with nearly 200 participating colleges and universities. The campaign consists of a variety of fundraisers held during the fall and spring and culminates with all-night celebrations at each institution.

Northwest’s concluding casino-themed UTD party will take place from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday, March 14, in Lamkin Activity Center. The free evening, which will include live entertainment and complimentary pizza, is open to all Northwest students, whether or not they participated in the campaign.

Last year, Northwest students raised more than $50,000 for St. Jude. This year’s goal is $75,000.

For more information, please contact:

Anthony Brown,
News Bureau Manager
E-Mail: abrown@nwmissouri.edu
Phone: 660.562.1704
Fax: 660.562.1900

Northwest Missouri State University
219 Administration Building,
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468

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