Eastern holds 4th annual Andrej 5K
Fundraiser in memory of RHAM teacher Andrej Cavarkapa
Willimantic, CT (09/24/2021) — Eastern Connecticut State University held the 4th Annual Andrej 5K Fun Run/Walk at Mansfield Hollow State Park on Sept. 18. Sponsored by the Office of Institutional Advancement, the annual race raises funds for the Andrej Cavarkapa Memorial Scholarship, in memory of late Eastern alumnus Andrej Cavarkapa '09.
More than 160 people participated in the event, which was split into six races - four in-person and two virtual. Including the $11,000 that was generated this year, the Andrej 5K has raised more than $35,000 since its 2017 inception. The Andrej Cavarkapa Memorial Endowed Scholarship has grown to more than $80,000 thanks to these events and support from the Cavarkapa Family.
The event was organized by friends and Eastern alumni Jackie Fedor '12, Heather Lepper '12, Maggie Gibeault '12, Hannah Lawrie and Emma Bounty, and included volunteers from Eastern's Center for Community Engagement (CCE), the Kappa Sigma ECSU Fraternity and the University of Connecticut.
Neighboring high schools such as E.O. Smith and RHAM, where Cavarkapa taught, were also invited. With degrees in biology, biochemistry and education, Cavarkapa taught high school science with a focus in physics and chemistry.
Every year the Andrej Cavarkapa Memorial Scholarship is awarded to two recipients. For more information about the scholarship and its history, visit https://www.easternct.edu/scholarships/individual-scholarships/andrej-cavarkapa-09-memorial-endowed-scholarship.html. Donations can be made at https://ecsufoundation.com/andrej5k/.
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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving more than 4,600 students annually at its Willimantic campus and satellite locations. In addition to attracting students from 161 of Connecticut's 169 towns, Eastern also draws students from 31 other states and 17 countries. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 65 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal art foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked as the top public regional university in New England by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020, 2021 and 2022 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 11 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
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Event volunteers and organizers with Andrej's father, Branko Cavarkapa, professor at Eastern.
