/ GRADUATION GUIDE / THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
Wide range of options available for new graduates
BY CLAIRE MCINERNY editor@kansan.com
As some seniors are preparing for jobs and planning their lives after school, some students are experiencing a different scenario the end of college
er. One opportunity that enables students to make that happen is through Teach for America. Teach For America is a program that allows recent college graduates to teach in public schools in low-income communities. The assignment lasts for two years.
a way to prolong having to find a job, but rather look at it as a way to find new opportunities and new ways for students to use their passions. She said a lot of politicians who now work in Congress were in the program and are now fighting for education rights.
Four yea degree later
Wiechman spent his two years in Saint Lucia doing community development. He helped a farmers' cooperative develop a grant proposal to get funding for a composting project from the United Nations and also taught reading and music at a school.
The Peace Corps was an attract- ion for Wichman because
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
COMMUNITY
Bike races bring revenue to Lawrence
BY KYLIE NUTT knutt@kansan.com
During the Fourth of July weekend, many Lawrence residents generally leave town. The Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau hopes to change that by establishing an annual event for the city to generate revenue by rolling in cyclists to race and entertain crowds.
Bob Sanner, director of sports marketing at the Lawrence CVB, and Eric Struckhoff, race director, created the Tour of Lawrence, a three-day USA Cycling Pro-AM (professional/ amateur) event.
"This is the one weekend in the summer when it is typically slow for Lawrence hotels, restaurants, and retailers," Susan Henderson, director and marketing manager at the Lawrence CVB, said.
"That was kind of the importance behind it, was to develop an event that would bring business to Lawrence at a time when otherwise businesses are fairly slow," Henderson said.
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO
The event is funded by 23 sponsors such as U.S. Bank, Free State Brewing Company, Sunflower Outdoor & Bike, Springhill Suites and Crown Toyota.
Sunflower Outdoor & Bike has donated all three years because it wants to help the Tour of Lawrence as much as it can, said Dan Hughes, owner of Sunflower Outdoor & Bike.
"We donate a couple thousand dollars every year, which doesn't sound like a lot, but for us it's a chunk of change," Hughes said.
Each participant is required to pay a registration fee for each event that costs from $10 to $45. A $25 fee is
charged for cyclists who are not licensed through USA Cycling, Henderson said.
The Lawrence community has helped with the event by making in-kind donations such as donating hay bales that are used to cushion light poles and posts, Henderson said.
Sponsors, registration fees and the Lawrence community help fund the Tour of Lawrence and together provide a cash purse of $20,000. The money is distributed in various amounts throughout all races for top finishers.
The event is volunteer intensive with 300 volunteers who help set-up and run the event, Henderson said.
ROLLING ALONG
Hundreds of professional cyclists traveled from around the country from states such as Texas, California,
Missouri and Colorado to race in the Tour of Lawrence. The Professional and Category 1 and 2 cyclists make their living by racing, Henderson said.
Andy Schoen, a cyclist from Platte City, Mo., raced Saturday on the University's campus. It took him about 48 minutes to complete the 4 miles up and downhill.
sao. Anyone was able to race throughout the weekend but get a chance at the cash purse, but the races are geared toward professionals.
"It [the race] made me feel like I was going to have a heart attack every time I went up, but there's a great reward with it," Schoen said.
Schoen struggled with the heat, but fortunately his family was there to drape wash cloths over his head and pour ice on him. "That was about the only way I made it," Schoen said.
THE CHAMPION
The Tour of Lawrence event struggles to break even each year, but any money left over will be donated to the Heartland Community Health Center, Henderson said.
The health center offers a medical clinic, behavioral health services, education programs, food pantry and an emergency utility assistance program, according to a news release.
Even though the event is not making a profit yet, it is still important to keep the prices where they are. If prices increase cyclists may reconsider coming to an event, Henderson said
"We hope someday we'll be giving away lots and lots of money to the beneficiaries, but the event is not in that place right now," Henderson said.
Racers fly past the Campanile Saturday during the Cat 3 race.
Mike Gunnoe/KANSAN
Chris Bronson/KANSAN
Racers sprint by the start/finish line Sunday afternoon at the 3rd Annual Tour of Lawrence. The Tour of Lawrence featured three days of competitive racing and purse prizes totaling $20,000.