‘Running to Support the Seniors’

Apr 28, 2020

Virtual ‘All For Fun Run’ will Honor Seniors During Graduation Week

Michael Farrere admitted he was a little sad about not walking across the stage for his scheduled graduation next week.

No matter. He’ll be running instead.

And he won’t be alone. Michael, a senior communications major from Detroit, said he’s looking forward to taking part in the virtual All For Fun Run, held during what normally would have been Graduation Week, May 11-17. Because of regulations put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Xavier’s graduation ceremony has been postponed to at least Aug. 8.

“I am pretty excited about it — it will kind of take the place of our graduation,” Farrere said. “I know I’ll do it, and my family will, too. We’ll make it an event. It’s a good message to get out there.”

The brainchild of the office of University Relations, the idea was developed to honor those seniors who have had quite a different final semester than they were expecting.

“As the Alumni Office was thinking of ways to engage the alumni community, we began to wonder what more we could do to support our seniors,” said Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Elle McFarland, who graduated in 2015.

“We started thinking of a 5k and how we could use the walk to symbolize more than just fitness,” she continued. “Fast-forward through a few brainstorming sessions, and the All For Fun Run was born. The goal is to have the Xavier community walk in solidarity with the XU class of 2020, since they are not able to do so together at this time.”

McFarland said the ‘Fun’ of the event alludes to the ways in which you can participate. “Walk, run, bike, rollerblade — whatever makes you happy,” she said. “Just pick whatever works for you.”

Between May 11-17, participants will be asked to complete a 5K on their own time, anywhere they like, so long as they follow social distancing guidelines. Just wear your Xavier gear, and take a picture after you run, then share it on social media with the hashtag #allforfunrun. Tag @xu_alumni on Instagram or Twitter and Xavier University Alumni on Facebook.

Fill out our short form at xavier.edu/funrun, and you can register to win Xavier swag! Upload your time and join us for a post-race virtual wrap party Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m., where we’ll draw prize winners and take a group photo.

“Around this time we’d usually be getting ready to welcome our seniors to the alumni family through Grad Fair, Commencement, and events this summer,” said Associate Director of Alumni Engagement Meghan Fischer. “We know that the end of the year has been different than expected, but we want the seniors to know that the alumni network is here for them and excited to welcome them in.”

Tricia Wade, who graduated in 1998 (and added an MBA in 2001), lives in West Chester with her husband Andy, who graduated in 1997. As a runner, she says she’s been using her time during the quarantine to practice.

“I upped my game, now running four to five miles, two to three times a week,” she said. “So excited to have the XU run so we have something to look forward to. My husband and son were actually in New York at the (Big East) tournament when all of this craziness started. So anything to help boost Xavier spirit right now.”

Kristy Beagle, a 2006 graduate and president of the Cincinnati chapter of the Alumni Association, said she’ll be participating, too.

“I am running to support all of the seniors who got their time cut short at Xavier,” she said. “I remember my second semester of senior year fondly. I was finishing up my degree and enjoying time with my friends. Senior Week was a blast, and even though our seniors are missing out on those experiences, I want them to know that their fellow Musketeers have their back and are here cheering them on.”

For more information, or to sign up, visit xavier.edu/funrun.

- By Ryan Clark, Office of Marketing and Communications