Shepherd University faculty and R.A.M. Initiative sponsors stand around the first walking/running path podium placed on Shepherd’s campus on Friday afternoon. Standing, from left, are: initiative co-chair and School of Recreation, Sport and Exercise Sciences Director Stacey Kendig; SU President Mary J.C. Hendrix; PIVOT Physical Therapy Physician & Community Liaison Karissa Horowicz; College of Nursing, Education and Health Sciences Dean Sharon Mailey; Valley Health representative Mary Kathryn Robinson; Valley Health communications representative Kyle Sams; and initiative co-chair Jessica Graham. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — On the midway beside Shepherd University’s Student Center, community members and Shepherd University students, faculty and staff can now take a glance at the completion of the first stage in Shepherd’s newest health and wellness project, the R.A.M. Initiative. The first stage, which was the placement of the first of 12 permanent podiums featuring information about a newly marked walking/running path around Shepherd’s campus, was revealed on Friday afternoon, during a kickoff event at the site.

According to SU School of Recreation, Sport and Exercise Sciences Director Stacey Kendig, two more stages will be undergone over the next two years to complete the initiative. The next stage will feature the placement of podiums at Knutti Hall, McMurran Hall and Erma Ora Byrd Hall. The eight final podiums will be placed in the final stage of the project.

Each podium is being sponsored by a business or individual with an interest in the purpose of the initiative: the Student Center’s podium sponsor is PIVOT Physical Therapy; Knutti Hall’s sponsor is Valley Health; McMurran Hall’s sponsor is by Two Rivers Treads and its owner, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella; and Eram Ora Byrd Hall’s sponsor is the School of Nursing and its director, Sharon Mailey.

“The R.A.M. Initiative project has been in development stages for approximately two years. We are excited to bring this project to fruition,” Mailey said. “The R.A.M. Initiative is designed to enhance wellness opportunities for both the Shepherd University campus and community. As we are continually reminded about the growing number of health issues in West Virginia, this project comes as another option for enhancing opportunities, for all members of our campus and community to participate in a health and wellness program. We invite you to join us in taking a walk, a bike ride, a run or to simply enjoy our beautiful campus while getting a little exercise.”

While the first podium’s information about the trail route will be static, the other 11 podiums’ display boards will have health and wellness information that changes on a monthly basis, to keep users informed and engaged with the trail. This factor is one of the reasons SU President Mary J.C. Hendrix commended its School of Recreation, Sport and Exercise Sciences developers for their creativity.

Shepherd University students and faculty, as well as R.A.M. Initiative community sponsors attend the kickoff event for the walking/running path around Shepherd University’s campus on Friday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

“It is a collaborative effort that respects Shepherd University’s history, while enjoying our future together,” Hendrix said. “Personally, I look forward to enjoying this path for many years to come!”

Shepherd University School of Recreation, Sport and Exercise Sciences Director Stacey Kendig speaks about the R.A.M. Initiative on Friday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston