Mackenzie Wieder, Business Communication class of 2017, has begun her thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail -- all 2,181 miles of it, from Georgia to Maine. Thru-hikers cover the entire distance in one long hike, taking months for the journey.
Mackenzie is chronicling her travels through Instagram posts and a blog, "Dreaming with My Eyes Wide Open," posted on The Trek, a blogsite that covers all things hiking. She began her trek on March 22 at Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, and has since begun progress north. You can read her blog posts here.
From filtering stream water to listening to an owl's lullabies at night, Mackenzie's trip has been anything but boring. Each day, she covers anywhere from eight to 15 miles, often meeting other hikers along the way, but sometimes enjoying the solitude that the Trail provides. In the photos, you can see her crossing a log and then enjoying the summit of Blood Mountain, the highest peak on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail with an elevation of 4,458 feet.
Our thoughts are with her as she learns from and enjoys the experience!
(Photos from Mackenzie's Instagram site)
Congratulations to junior Lauren Novsak, who will serve as the Student Government Association president next year! Lauren's campaign was a masterwork in social media, positivity, and clear messaging.
Saturday, March 23 and 24. The team, spearheaded by Lambda Pi Eta, the honor society, raised over $1,700 for the cause. Students also designed t-shirts (shown in the photos below) that gave a nod to to faculty members in the department -- professor Christine Noya, who is recovering from cancer after a long year's battle, and Bryan Read, the son of faculty member Chip Rouse. Bryan's battle with colorectal cancer has just begun. The theme this year, Candyland, was reflected in games, prizes, and designs. The team has also been designated as a "Rising Star" team because of their fundraising efforts.
Congratulations to the exceptional inductees of Lambda Pi Eta, the outgoing officers, and the faculty who supported all of them on their journey. The induction ceremony was held on Saturday, March 24, 2018. Inductees included the following students: