Professors ride to fund student trip

With nothing but their pride on the line, Eastern New Mexico University professors took to their tricycles Friday afternoon for a fun fueled race to help choir students fund a trip to Carnegie Hall.

Professors at ENMU were enlisted by American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) students to race in the Stages of Life Relay Race. Each professor had to complete a multiple stage race that included tricycles, water pong, speed walking, and wheelchairs.

The race took place behind the Campus Union Building on campus and included the five professors who raised the most money.

link Staff photo: Joshua Lucero

Eastern New Mexico University Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Mary Ayala races fellow professors Friday afternoon during the ENMU American Choir Directors Association Stages of Life Relay race at the Campus Union Building.

Professors entering the race were voted on by students and faculty by monetary donations to individual professors in hopes that they would be selected to compete.

ENMU ASCDA president Molly Chavez said the organization almost doubled the amount of money raised during the race last year. She said last year’s race raised $600 while this year it managed to raise about $1,000.

Psychology professor Steven Brust took the win this year, completing the relay seconds ahead of his competition.

Racers were cheered on by students and faculty, who gathered behind the CUB to watch their favorite professors attempt to navigate the course in record time.

“The thing I thought was going to be a challenge was water pong, but I got it on the third try,” Brust said.

Brust said he entered the race because he wanted to help out ACDA and the community.

Chavez said 10 percent of the money raised by the race would be donated to local childrens homes and the remainder would be used to fund ENMU ACDA choir students’ trip to Carnegie Hall to perform in June.

Chavez said the race started as a music department only event last year, but expanded to include all professors for the 2015 race.

Incoming ACDA President Colton Hardy said the organization is open to any students who want to join and helps students who want to become choir directors.

Chavez said students in ACDA get first hand experience teaching choir and learn how to listen and critique.

The relay race helped ENMU ACDA students bring awareness to their organization and to their June performance at Carnegie Hall, according to Chavez.

Chavez said the ENMU ACDA students plan to continue the race in 2016.