2010 Relay for Life, March 5-6, dedicated to late faculty member Jeffrey Knapp

The 2010 Relay for Life March 5-6 at MMC promises to be a celebration of hope and life. The event will be dedicated to the late Jeffrey Knapp, a longtime faculty member and supporter of the event who passed away last month.

By Martin Haro

For the last year six years, the FIU family has pledged its support to the American Cancer Society by hosting the annual Relay for Life at Modesto A. Maidique Campus and raising more than $315,000 for the organization.

This year will be no different – an expected 80 registered teams will strive to raise $90,000 at this year’s event March 5-6, $10,000 more than last year.

This year’s theme? “Relay Around the World,” which emphasizes the university’s Global Learning for Global Citizenship initiative.

“The committee thought this would be appropriate,” said Beverly Dalrymple, director of the Center for Leadership & Service. “Each team will represent a different country. Participants will be able to sample food and cultural traditions from more than 50 different locations. This Relay promises to be a celebration of the rich diversity we enjoy at FIU.”

Jeffrey Knapp, seen here at the 2009 FIU Relay for Life, was the event's top fundraiser for three years in a row.

The event is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Friday and end at 8 a.m. Saturday.

FIU family and friends are invited to participate and honor the memory of the late Jeffrey Knapp, who passed away Feb. 17 after a nine-year battle with cancer. A faculty member and director of the Academy for the Art of Teaching, Knapp was a strong supporter of the Relay for Life.

“He was always part of the opening ceremony and the survivor’s lap that begins the event,” Dalrymple said. “We have decided to dedicate the 2010 Relay to him. There will be a memorial lap in Jeffrey’s name following the candle-lighting ceremony at 9 p.m.”

The event will be held on Palm Avenue at the 8^th Street entrance to MMC in front of the Ryder Business building. To register for the event, click here or contact Beverly Dalrymple at 305-348-6995 or beverly.dalrymple@fiu.edu.