Tour de KSU
Lance Armstrong and his yellow jersey may not be planning a trip to Kennesaw State University‚ but…
Georgia (Sep 28, 2005) — Tour de KSU
Frances Weyand
Abstract
Contact: Frances Weyand‚ Director of University Development‚ 770−423−6203 or fweyand@kennesaw.edu
Lance Armstrong and his yellow jersey may not be planning a trip to Kennesaw State
University‚ but come Friday‚ Oct. 28‚ his spirit will be felt on campus and throughout
the area‚ when cyclists in the first Tour de KSU hit the starting line.
The Tour de KSU was conceived as a way to achieve and integrate many of the goals
of the first−year experience class—a required course for freshmen that acquaints them
with the KSU campus‚ higher education and strategies for success in college−level
courses. Among the course goals that the tour addresses for students are “connecting
with faculty and peers‚ engaging in out−of−class campus activities and improving knowledge
of wellness‚” said Ruth Goldfine‚ assistant professor of English in the Department
of University Studies and coordinator of Tour de KSU. “The event also offers volunteer
opportunities for the students‚ such as pairing them with visually impaired riders
on tandem bikes.”
The tour is a bike cruise‚ not a race‚ open to students‚ faculty‚ staff‚ alumni and
the public. It will take place in stages‚ like the Tour de France (only much shorter‚
approximately 20 miles). The route will take the riders from the Campus Green through
Acworth and parts of Cobb and Bartow counties and back again.
A “poker ride” also is part of the festivities. Riders can pick up cards at the stages
along the ride and play their hand following the race. Prizes will be awarded.
Lance Armstrong’s book “It’s Not About the Bike‚” is the common reader for all first−year
experience students this year and was the inspiration for the Tour de KSU. The book
was chosen‚ Goldfine said‚ because “his story speaks to students about the value of
motivation and perseverance‚ about the possibilities of overcoming extreme odds to
rise from obscurity to greatness.”
Sign in and race−day registration start at 8:30 a.m.‚ and the race begins at 9:30
a.m. For information on registration and fees‚ contact Ruth Goldfine at 770−423−6131
or rgoldfin@kennesaw.edu or the University Studies office‚ 770−423−6207.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 38,000 students. With 13 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
