Smith MBAs Finish Marine Corps Marathon and Raise Money for Charity

Six second-year Smith MBA students competed in and finished the 2003 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., on October 26, 2003. Although pushed by personal strength and commitment through the 26.2-mile endurance road race, the Smith team was united and inspired by their mutual commitment to supporting the fight against Alzheimer's disease. As the inaugural Memory Marathon Training Team, the Smith team pledged not only their time and energy to train what was at times upwards of 20 hours a week, but they also pledged to raise $1,500 each to benefit the Alzheimer's Association and Alzheimer's disease research.

Last year, Smith MBA student Anne Williams approached the National Capital Area Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association to recommend a combined marathon training and fundraising program based after a similar training program she had completed to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. With the full support of the Alzheimer's Association, the first Memory Marathon team was born and grew to include team members from across the country including California, Wisconsin, New York, and the Washington, D.C., area.

"After losing two grandparents to Alzheimer's disease, I wanted to honor them and support research and programs to prevent other families from watching their loved ones suffer with the disease," Williams said. "As a graduate assistant at the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the Smith School, I was inspired to be entrepreneurial and start the team and was overwhelmed and inspired by the commitment and support I received from my Smith colleagues."

Other Smith team members included Jesus Alfaro, Joe Colca, Matt Kave, Seamus Monschein, and Jason Strong.

"The appreciation I feel for all of those who supported and encouraged me, and our team, can't be fully expressed," said Strong.

"Competing in the Marine Corps Marathon was very exciting," said Monschein. "The training has certainly been a challenge but the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious event while raising money for a great cause makes it very rewarding."

Smith Memory Marathon team members will continue to raise money for their team through December 31, 2003. If you are interested in making a donation or would like to learn more about Alzheimer's disease call 301-403-1384.