Robert Erickson's third bike tour raises scholarship donation total
October 13, 2004
Former Minnesota State Colleges and Universities trustee raises more than $222,000 overall
Contact: Melinda Voss, (651) 296-9443, melinda.voss@so.mnscu.edu
Robert Erickson, a former Minnesota State Colleges and Universities trustee has raised $15,884 on his third annual 2,300-mile bike tour to create scholarships for part-time students. To date, Erickson has successfully raised more than $222,000 over three years.
Erickson, 58, rode his bike to the 53 state college and university campuses. He was received with pancake breakfasts, hotdog feeds, receptions, police escorts and many riders joining him on his ride. Bike raffles were a popular source of donations at three of the colleges. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation and college and university foundations will distribute scholarships with donations generated from the bike tour.
Throughout his month-long bike trip, Erickson raised public awareness about the struggles of part-time adult students who he says are not treated fairly by Minnesota's current financial aid program. Erickson completed his bike tour Sept. 23 at Normandale Community College.
"Throughout the communities he has visited, Bob Erickson brought significant attention to the issue of financial aid for part-time students," said Catherine McGlinch, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation executive director. "The initiative he's taken with this issue is exceptional, and we are very proud that he is the chair of our Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation."
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System comprises seven state universities and 25 community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 240,000 students per year in credit-based courses, and 45 percent of all students are enrolled part-time. The average age of part-time students is 30.
Biking for Bucks itinerary and photos
