Robert Erickson's fourth bike tour of 53 campuses raises $27,276 to aid part-time students

Posted: September 22, 2005

Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426

Robert Erickson, a former Minnesota State Colleges and Universities trustee, raised $27,276 on his fourth annual 2,300-mile bike tour to create scholarships for part-time students. To date, Erickson has raised more than $255,000 over four years.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation and college and university foundations will distribute scholarships with donations generated from the bike tour.

Erickson, 59, rode his bicycle to the 53 state college and university campuses. He was received with pancake breakfasts, hotdog feeds, receptions, police escorts and many riders joining him on his ride. Preschoolers in the Child Development Program at Hennepin Technical College supported Erickson's efforts with "Tykes on Trikes." A challenge between Minnesota State Community and Technical College and Minnesota West Community and Technical College generated about $4,500.

Throughout his month-long bike trip, Erickson raised public awareness about the struggles of part-time adult students who he says are not treated fairly by Minnesota's current financial aid program. Erickson completed his bike tour Sept. 22 at Normandale Community College.

"Once again, Bob Erickson has brought much-needed public attention to an important issue," said Catherine McGlinch, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation executive director. "His demonstration of caring and concern for part-time students is unmatched and we thank him for that."

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that serves as an integral partner with institutional foundations to advocate for the system and to raise and distribute funds for the benefit of students, programs and communities.

Contributions, which are tax deductible as charitable contributions, may be made to the foundations of individual Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or to the system's foundation. To make a contribution, send it directly to one of the institutional foundations or to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Foundation, Wells Fargo Place, 30 7th St. E., Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101-7804.

About 43 percent of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities students are enrolled part-time. The average age of part-time students is 30.