Oglethorpe fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha recently partnered with other student organizations on campus to plan the first “Alpha Max 5K Race & Walk” to bring attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Held at the Oglethorpe Turf Field, students participating in the 5K came from many different clubs, including Petrel Fitness Factory, (H)OLA, the African Student Association, Black Student Caucus, and OU Golden Storm.
Alpha Phi Alpha President Yemmy Arimoro ’24 created the event to uphold the fraternity’s service mission and highlight an issue that should be talked about more.
“The discussion about cancer is not usually brought up or spoken about in public areas based on the stigma that is attached to individuals with it,” says Arimoro, who also serves as the founder of the Petrel Fitness Factory.
“We, and some other organizations, decided to bring this discussion in the form of advocacy and awareness to Oglethorpe’s campus.”
Arimoro is also a student in Dr. Karen Schmeichel’s Cancer Biology class. The course, which engages students in discussions on drug development and clinical strategies for cancer, has encouraged Arimoro to volunteer at the Emory Winship Cancer Institute. Other students in the class participated in the 5K as well.
The fraternity also connected with local Brookhaven business, The Joint Chiropractor, for support. The Joint sponsored the event by providing reward bags to the winners.
“We take great pleasure in supporting Oglethorpe University and its student organizations in their efforts to raise funds and awareness for worthy causes,” says Dr. Eric Tabano, owner and chiropractor at the Brookhaven location.
“The university and its students are exceptional, and we look forward to future collaborations.”
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated strives to give a voice to all individuals through their community service programs. The fraternity hopes to continue to grow the 5K and eventually invite the wider Oglethorpe community to participate, including faculty, staff, and alumni.
