Eastern holds 4th annual Andrej 5k race

Andrej 5K volunteers and event coordinators with Eastern professor Branko Cavarkapa, Andrej's father.

Andrej 5K volunteers work registration at the event.

Eastern Connecticut State University held the 4^th 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, Rachel Valliere, Hannah Lawrie and Emma Bounty, and included volunteers from Eastern’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE), the University of Connecticut and more.

Neighboring high schools including E.O. Smith and RHAM were also invited. With degrees in biology, biochemistry and education, Cavarkapa taught high school science at RHAM 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/.

Written by Bobbi Brown

Categories: Foundation, Alumni