Running on Home ... For a Cause

The phrase "run on home" (often followed by "to mommy") is often associated with a scared child fleeing from a bully. But Penn State University senior Chris Ulmer is putting his own spin the phrase:

Chris Ulmer is running as far away as he can get from State College after he graduates Dec. 18.

But his 250-mile run to his parents’ house in Willow Grove, Pa. isn’t just so Ulmer can return home. Ulmer (senior-media studies) is also raising money for Teach for America by asking people to donate money for each mile he runs.

Ulmer will begin his run the same day of his graduation. For the next three or four days, Ulmer will run about 55 miles a day through small Pennsylvania towns, stopping only when he needs to rest.

Ulmer's story is an inspirational one, turning a poor choice into inspiration. As a 20-year-old college student, Ulmer did what a lot of college students do: drank illegally as a not-yet-21-year-old. He got caught, was slapped with an underage and lost his license. So he started running to get to class. And he never stopped running.

Now, with graduation right around the corner, he's putting his newfound passion to good use, raising money for Teach for America by asking people to donate money for each mile he runs. Ulmer's story is great inspiration to everyone: a young man making a mistake, learning from it, becoming a better man for it and using his experience to help others. Oh, and he's nearly halfway to his fundraising goal of $1,000, displaying the power peer-to-peer fundraising holds.

Read his story in my alma mater's newspaper, the Daily Collegian (where I worked as an undergrad), view his YouTube video, and visit his fundraising page. And feel free to donate if you're so inclined.