Eagles dash across campus in 5k

The Golden Eagle Student Consulting Group hosted its first Eagle Dash this past Saturday. More than 40 participants took part in the event, which was a fund-raiser for Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization committed to assisting families in need by providing affordable housing.

Students, faculty and residents paid $25 to register for a 5k race at 8:30 a.m. The race’s course made its way through the University of Southern Mississippi’s campus, with various stations set up to splash contestants with colored water. After competitors reached Pride Field, the rest of the day was dedicated to live music, free food and drinks and booths advertising the Eagle Dash’s sponsors. 

Habitat for Humanity’s Lee Anne Venable was enthusiastic about the event. According to Venable, GESCG’s advisor SherRhonda Gibbs, an assistant professor of management at USM, was a two-year board member for Habitat for Humanity. Gibbs suggested that GESCG host an annual fundraiser for the non-profit organization, and both organizations hope to have set a tradition at USM. 

“I do fund-raising for Habitat, and the two calls you want to get are, ‘I want to write you a giant check,’ and, ‘I want to throw a fundraiser for you,’” Venable said. “All we have to do is show up and collect the money, so we are very appreciative of GESCG.”

First-place winner Bob Press, an associate professor of political science at USM, seemed more concerned with giving back to his community than winning a race.

“I don’t normally do this kind of thing, but it’s all for Habitat,” Press said. His generosity knew no bounds; while receiving his award, he asked how to convert his $250 sport shoot packet and gift card into donations to Habitat for Humanity.

Mother of GESCG president Victoria McIlwain, Diane McIlwain, worked a booth at the Eagle Dash, providing T-shirts to anyone who attended.

“These students are business majors concerned with giving back to their community,” Diane McIlwain said.

The festivities at Pride Field continued until 12 p.m. and featured live music by Scott Chism & the Better Half and Ralph Nix & The CatFish Gospel.