Shuffle tomorrow for student success

 

There’s just one day to go to the Concordia Shuffle and if the bustling activity around the registration tables is anything to go by, the 16th edition of the annual walkathon between campuses will be a bigger success than ever.

This year, participants will have the chance to shuffle with Concordia’s new president, Claude Lajeunesse. Students, faculty, staff, senior administrators and members of the Board of Governors are expected to turn out in full force.

“We’re counting on that special Concordia spirit to come through again this year,” said Shuffle chair Murray Sang. “We had a record crowd last year and raised well over $57,000 for student scholarships and bursaries — that’s really symbolic of the Concordia community’s great spirit and solidarity with its students.”

The university’s faculty and staff associations are offering contributions as well as pledges for participating members, as are deans and vice-presidents.

The Shuffle will take a new route this year, departing from the new Integrated Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Complex and westward along de Maisonneuve Blvd., wending through Westmount Park and then along Sherbrooke St. W. to the Loyola Campus. A reception and prize draws will greet participants at the finish line.

This year, alumni and friends are being especially encouraged to join in on the walkathon and take part in the launch of the Leave a Legacy — Adopt-A-Student Program. This program allows donors to provide direct financial assistance to full-time students by establishing a bursary, scholarship or fellowship.

As for prizes, the Shuffle Organizing Committee has outdone itself this year, with offerings such as a one-week stay for two at a Club Med resort, return airfare for two to New York City, travel and accommodation packages, great gift certificates, and electronic and computer devices including — very fittingly — iPod Shuffles.

Registration will be open from noon to 2 p.m. today at the Library Building atrium and GM Building lobby on the Sir George Campus, and the lobby of the Administration Building at Loyola.

Last-minute registrations will be taken tomorrow in the brand-new Integrated Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Complex, as of 8:30 a.m.