UTC Leaps to Record in Jump Rope for Heart

UTC faculty, staff and students in Exercise Science, Health and Leisure Studies (EHLS) have surpassed last year’s record breaking collection supporting Jump Rope for Heart, a fundraiser of the American Heart Association.

According to the Youth Marketing Director for the Chattanooga American Hearth Association, Sarah Norman, UTC had the distinction of being the top Jump Rope for Heart fund-raiser among all universities in the United States in 2003. Norman says the University may be on the way to another nationally recognized record breaking year, with total collections for February, 2004 exceeding $15,000.

“It is fun to see the students get into this fundraiser. Dr. Leroy Fanning, Dr. Burch Oglesby, his wife Carol, and many others in the faculty and staff of the EHLS Department have provided great leadership to the many students who have participated. Everyone did an absolutely phenomenal job. The American Heart Association will model what UTC has for Jump Rope for Heart to other colleges and Universities,” Norman said.

Participation in this event reaches students on another level besides the obvious benefits of raising money in the fight against this killer disease. “Students gain insight into the importance of taking an active role in community service, as well as, receiving basic training in goal-oriented fund raising. Along with this, students have a unique opportunity to practice social and professional skills such as perseverance, discipline, determination and compassion,” Fanning said.

Jump Rope for Heart is an activity that plays a central role in helping EHLS meet the goals set forth by the mission statements of the University and the department itself. The University mission statement encourages partnerships which strengthen the University and community , while the departmental statement encourages the promotion of health-promoting lifestyles through its disciplines which enhance quality of life. “This activity is designed to show our students one way in which they can join with a community partner and work toward a goal which may enhance the quality of life for others,” Fanning said.