Kappa Delta Pi member honors professor with Relay for Life walk
Press Release Date: 5-5-2011
Cassie Kleber, Dr. Gail Romer, and Stefan Kells walk at the beginning of Relay for Life.
DURANT, Okla. – For Cassie Kleber, Friday, April 29, was a night to remember. As a member of the Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Honor Society at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Kleiber walked the entire night of the Relay for Life Event to honor her professor and cancer survivor, Dr Gail Romer.
This year's Bryan County Relay for Life was held Friday from 6 p.m. until 6 a,m. Saturday at Paul Laird Field. KDP, an International Honor Society in Education, was one of more than 30 area teams that participated to raise money for the American Cancer Society, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and support those still battling the disease.
"I felt very honored and I am definitely encouraged by what Cassie did,” said Dr. Romer, an assisrtant professor in the Educational Instruction and Leadership Department. “I appreciate so much the way she has stayed in touch with me during the past months. Also I am very appreciative of the KDP members who have put so much effort into the Relay for Life.”
Dyanna Bowen, KDP President, said, "Cassie just blew me away. I know she said she was going to walk all night for Dr. Romer, but I didn't think it was possible. She got cramps about two in the morning and I thought she would have to stop, but she didn't. The last few hours were really hard for her, but she would either stretch out or jog awhile until she worked through whatever was bothering her.
Kleber, a senior English Education major from East London, the Republic of South Africa, will be graduating from SE this spring.
"It was a very inspiring night even without what Cassie did, but Relay for Life is like that,” Bowen continued. “There are always several times during the night, whether it is the survivor's walk, or lighting the luminary bags, or hearing someone talk about a loved one that really makes you feel so proud to be a part of this and to be helping to raise money to find a cure."
KDP's Project Coordinator for Relay for Life, Shauna Nelson, said the event’s overall fund-raising goal of $62,000 was met before the all-night relay even began.
"I'm not sure how much more money was raised by the activities," Nelson said, "but I think it is substantial. This was a lot of hard work, from the Bryan County leadership down to the teams, but it is so worthwhile to feel like you are making a difference."
The KDP team sold baked goods and had a face-painting booth during the relay to raise additional funds. Nelson said she and other KDP members took turns walking, often with Kleber, while others manned the booth.
Kappa Delta Pi, founded by Dr. William Bagley in 1911 at the University of Illinois, was established to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching.