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Contact: Gary Kruchowski, (218) 733-7649, g.kruchowski@lsc.mnscu.edu or Janet Blixt, (218) 723-4743, j.blixt@lsc.mnscu.edu
For Immediate Release: August 16, 2006
"Biking Bob" Set to Make Fifth Statewide Bike Tour for Scholarships
(Duluth, Minn.) -- Clad in biking gear emblazoned with "Minnesota State Colleges and Universities," Robert Erickson, also known as Biking Bob, will embark on a 2,300-mile state bicycle tour to raise money and public support for part-time students.
The chair of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation, Erickson is scheduled to arrive at Lake Superior College at approximately 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22. He will be riding from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College along the Munger Trail, accompanied by local supporters.
During the 30-day trek, Erickson will tour all 53 campuses in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. He is funding the trip at his own expense. To date, Erickson has raised more than $255,000 over four years.
As a former trustee and chair of the finance and facilities committee of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System's Board of Trustees, Erickson recognizes the financial hardships faced by many part-time students. He served as senior vice president for finance and operations for the University of Minnesota from 1991 to 1995 and worked as a senior executive for SuperValu for 16 years.
Before undertaking his fifth "Scholarship Challenge," the 60-year-old Erickson said, "Part-time adult students are not treated fairly by Minnesota's current financial aid program. The state needs to change its formula to give part-time students an equal opportunity. "
To date, $8000 has been raised in support of part-time scholarships at Lake Superior College through Biking Bob. Contributions, which are tax deductible as charitable contributions, may be made to: the Lake Superior College Foundation or the system foundation. All donations raised in connection with Erickson's ride will be applied to student scholarships.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and 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 an additional 130,000 students in non-credit courses. About 43 percent of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities students are enrolled part-time. The average age of part-time students is 30.
