The Walters State Community College National Alumni Association plans its first “official” fundraising event Oct. 1. The Walters State Alumni & Friends 5k Run for Fund begins at 8 a.m. on the Morristown campus.
“This run is hosted by the alumni association, but it’s for everyone in the community. You can walk or run the course,” said Wanda Harrell, coordinator of alumni affairs and special events at the college. She extended a special invitation to those who walk the campus, the mall and Fred Miller Park regularly. She’s also hoping area track and cross-country teams will participate.
Pre-registration is only $20 and has a deadline of Sept. 26. Walters State alumni, students and staff as well as members of the Morristown Running, Hiking and Biking Club get an additional $2 discount. Registration will be available the day of the event, but will cost $25. Participants receive a T-shirt and awards will be given for different age groups. (Pre-registered participants are guaranteed a T-shirt. T-shirts will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis the day of the race.)
Children under 14 can participate free with a paying adult.
All proceeds will be used to fund scholarships through the Walters State Foundation. Harrell hopes to endow a scholarship with preference going to children or grandchildren of Walters State alumni. The course has been arranged by the Morristown Running, Hiking and Biking Club with John Smyth set to record start and finish times. The course also includes a run through the adjacent parking lot of College Square Mall thanks to the assistance of Mike Kaufman, general manager of the mall.
“We’re hoping to make this an annual community event. This area has many walkers and runners. With their support, we can help more students realize their educational goals,” Harrell said.
While the walk is at the Morristown campus, Walters State serves a 10-county area: Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Sevier and Union counties. Scholarships are awarded through the Walters State Foundation to students from all 10 counties.  
A secondary goal of Harrell’s is to meet more alumni.
 “I’m fairly new to this job, so it gives me a chance to engage alumni and it also gives alumni a chance to come back to campus. A couple of staff members have registered, so it might be a good chance to see some old friends,” she said. Harrell earned her degree from Walters State and returned to work at the college in 2005. She later moved to College Advancement and on to her current position in 2009.
Harrell said the alumni association was in the process of being revitalized. The club has an active facebook page. In addition to the national association, chapters also exist for popular majors like nursing and law enforcement.
Over the last 40 years, more than 25,000 students have graduated from Walters State. About 10,000 more have taken one or two years of college work and transferred to another college without earning an official Walters State degree, Harrell explained. Recently, the college moved to declare all students with 30 or more semester (or equivalent quarter) credit hours alumni even if they did not hold a degree.
“We found that many students who did not earn degrees still felt like Walters State was their alma mater. They are proud to have attended Walters State. Many had transferred just a few hours or a class away from graduation,” Harrell said.
Individuals and businesses can also be involved in the walk and show support for the college by signing up as a bronze, silver or gold sponsor.
To sign up to run or walk, visit www.ws.edu, click on the “Foundation” tab and then the “Alumni Association 5k Run for Fund” to download a registration form. For more information, contact Harrell at (423) 585-6976 or Wanda.Harrell@ws.edu.

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