Students present $2,500 for Xylia Peterson Memorial Fund, raised via 3K "Slush Rush"

The International Education Center's "Slush Rush" organizing team presents Dr. David Tiffany with a check for the Xylia Peterson Memorial Fund. Pictured from left are: Nicole Matterson, Christa Schrckengost, Dr. Tiffany, Andrew Mattuicci, Jessica Jacobson and Nicholas Mahoney.

The Slush Rush Team at the International Education Center presented a check of $2,548 to Vice President for University Advancement David Tiffany for the Xylia Peterson Memorial Fund last week.

The money was raised from the 3K "fun run" that was held in early March.  The proceeds provide scholarship assistance to junior or senior level international students who need financial assistance to complete his/her degree.

"This was such a great event," Dr. Tiffany said. "I know President Hefner had a lot of fun at the event, and he enjoys running too."

The race was held in remembrance of Xylia Peterson, ’85, an international student at SUNY Fredonia who went on to become an important, contributing member of the campus and community before dying tragically in an automobile accident at the age of 45.

"I don’t think this event could have gone any better," explained Mary Sasso, Director of the International Education Center. "It exceeded all of our expectations, and I cannot thank the runners, sponsors, and our Slush Rush 'brain team' enough for helping us raise so much money for such a great cause."

"The Slush Rush was such a successful event, and it was great to help out and raise money for it," added Carolyn Bowerman, a runner and raffle ticket seller at the event. "It was really fun to get people excited to buy raffle tickets with all the great prizes that the local businesses generously donated."

The Slush Rush is set to return on March 7, 2010, and plans to become an annual Fredonia tradition on the first Sunday in March every year.