Campus Rallies to Support Students at Chancellor’s Challenge 5K

Run/Walk has raised close to $2.7 million for undergraduate scholarships to date

The sun banished the clouds for Friday’s Chancellor’s Challenge 5K Run/Walk for Scholars, matching the upbeat energy of the annual campus tradition. Approximately 1,350 students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members gathered at RIMAC Field to run and walk in support of UC San Diego students.

The event raised nearly $200,000 for undergraduate scholarships, bringing the fundraising total for the lifetime of the event to close to $2.7 million. So far, 850 students have benefited from scholarships raised by the 5K since it was established 16 years ago.

“This is one of my favorite events,” said Chancellor Marye Anne Fox as she welcomed the crowd with a smile. “That’s because it raises money to provide support for promising students with financial need who may not otherwise be able to attend UC San Diego.”

Challenging the campus and local community to join her in supporting undergraduate scholarships, Chancellor Fox added $5,000 for every $50,000 raised at the 5K, and matched new and increased gifts with discretionary funds up to $40,000.

Event co-chair Reed Vickerman, chief administrative officer and deputy director of operations and finance at the San Diego Museum of Art, took the stage and thanked Chancellor Fox for her leadership. “For those of you who already know our Chancellor, Marye Anne Fox, you realize that she enjoys taking on challenges,” said Vickerman. “Thank you for your years of supporting the 5K with such commitment and enthusiasm.”

Since Fox took the helm of the 5K in 2004, the event has raised more than $1.5 million for scholarships. The Chancellor’s Challenge 5K was founded in 1996 by Fox’s predecessor, Robert Dynes.

This year’s 5K featured a contest for the oldest 5K T-shirt. Each year, the 5K T-shirt features a different design, created by a student or staff member. Patty Arnett, Human Resources administrative analyst in the Chancellor’s Office, won the contest with a T-shirt from 1996—the first year of the 5K. T-shirts could also be spotted from 1997 up through last year’s 50th Anniversary-inspired design.

This year, biology graduate student Tim Tucey won the race with a time of 16:31. He was also named the Chancellor’s Champion for 2011. The friendly Chancellor’s Champion competition is in its fourth year. A representative for students, faculty, staff and alumni run against each other and the winner receives a roaming award engraved with their name, lunch with Chancellor Fox and bragging rights.

According to Tucey, he had never been much of a runner before participating in the Chancellor’s Challenge 5K several years ago. He enjoyed the event so much that he began running in his spare time, working his way up to training for marathons.

“In two weeks, I’ll be running in the New York City Marathon, which is a dream of mine,” said Tucey. “It all started with the Chancellor’s 5K.”

Tucey understands the importance of student support. As a graduate student, he receives fellowship funding. “Student support is definitely important to me. It is critical for promising students—especially those who might have a hard time affording college—so they can have the opportunity to attend such a great school as UC San Diego.”

Megan Vaughn, ’14, a second year undergraduate majoring in human biology, is one of the Chancellor’s Scholars who has benefited from funds raised at the Chancellor’s Challenge 5K. Scholarship support has made all the difference to her.

“I wouldn’t have been able to afford to attend a four-year university without my scholarship,” said Vaughn, who hopes to attend medical school and help others someday as part of Doctors Without Borders. “With books, housing and all the expenses associated with going to a university, I just wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise.”

Sponsors of the Chancellor’s Challenge 5K include: Fisher Scientific; Darcy and Robert Bingham; Arthur Brody and Phyllis Cohn; Darlene Shiley, in memory of Donald Shiley; Amylin Pharmaceuticals; Ann and Bob Dynes; Audrey S. Geisel/Dr. Seuss Foundation; Peter, ’67, and Peggy Preuss; Ann and Joel Reed; UC San Diego Emeriti Association; UCSD Alumni; Elizabeth Van Denburgh, ’78; Andrew and Erna Viterbi; UC San Diego Retirement Association; Julia Brown; Patty, ’83, and Marc, ’79, Brutten; Pauline Foster; and Robert, ’86, and Amy, ’87, Marren; and Teresa Young ’74.

Chancellor’s Challenge 5K Winners