On Your Mark, Get Set, SLUSH!

SUNY Fredonia International Education Center to host second annual Slush Rush to benefit Xylia Peterson international scholarship

The SUNY Fredonia International Education Center is hosting its second annual two-mile “fun run,” also known as the Slush Rush, on Sunday, March 7. The race will begin at 11 a.m. at the Natatorium at SUNY Fredonia and will end in the same location.

Campus and community members are welcome to join in this 3K course. Registration for students is $10 and $15 for faculty, staff and community members. The cost provides participants with a T-shirt, food, refreshments and a raffle ticket.

Following the end of the race, the Natatorium will host a luncheon with prizes and a speech from director of International Education, Mary Sasso. Non-runners are welcome to attend lunch for a cost of $8. Pre-registration is available as well as on-site registration from 9 – 10:30 a.m. on the day of the race.

The race is being held in remembrance of Xylia Peterson, an international student at SUNY Fredonia who went on to be a vital and contributing member of the community before she died tragically in an automobile accident at the age of 45. The Xylia Peterson Memorial Fund was established in her memory to provide international education scholarships to full-time juniors and seniors at Fredonia.

“The Xylia Peterson Memorial Slush Rush was a tremendous success for our office and the SUNY Fredonia community,” said Nicholas Mahoney, former Slush Rush team member, “We could not have achieved such an amazing inaugural event without the help of students, faculty, and community members. I have great faith that the Slush Rush will become a winter tradition, as well as continue to raise awareness for international education.”

“I’m very excited about the Slush Rush this year. This is my first time helping to organize a foot race and I’m beginning to appreciate all the hard work that goes into developing a great race,” said Mary Hills, assistant director of International Education. “This year the course will be two miles on Fredonia’s campus and the race will be timed professionally by WNY Finish Line Services. I really hope this event will be one that participants look forward to each and every year.”

To register, call the International Education Center at 716-673-3451, pick up an application at 6 LoGrasso Hall, or go to www.fredonia.edu/internationaleducation.

Photo cutline: SUNY Fredonia President Dennis Hefner joined numerous students, faculty and staff at the starting line of the inaugural Slush Rush race last year, which benefits students seeking an international study experience during their time at Fredonia.