When Jared Dickerson and Justin McDonald formed the campus Student Veteran Organization (SVO) in 2011, they wanted to recognize UTC students who have served their country.
To that end, they’ve worked to launch the First Annual Veterans’ Day 5K and one mile walk to be held Sunday, November 11, 2:30 p.m., at the UTC McKenzie Arena.
Dickerson, SVO President, Founder, and UTC student, and McDonald, an alumnus, have arranged for proceeds from the race to go toward the establishment of the Sgt. David A. Stephens Memorial Scholarship Fund. The goal of this scholarship is to help ease the financial burden for a veteran in pursuit of higher education, according to Dickerson and Barry Bookheimer, Race Director.
Sergeant David “Alex” Stephens, a UTC alumnus, was killed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan on April 12, 2007. Stephens volunteered in the army as a combat medic because he wanted to help soldiers on the battlefield. The scholarship fund is a way for the SVO to honor Stephens by continuing his tradition of helping soldiers.
“I am impressed not only by [the SVO students’] hard work and perseverance but mostly by their hearts,” Ann Verble, Coordinator of Veteran Student Services, said. “The fact that they want to continue giving to others even after fulfilling their military obligations is commendable.”
For more details visit: www.imathlete.com/events/utc5k
Donations will be accepted here: www.imathlete.com/events/utc5k
