National Park College host annual Van Davis run, walk on Feb. 13
National Park College will host the Ninth Annual Van Davis Memorial 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run on Feb. 13.
According to NPC’s website, the scholarship endowment has surpassed $50,000.
“As we enter in to a new year, we encourage you to run regardless,” Nicole Herndon, NPC’s executive director of foundation, said Tuesday.
“Regardless of what challenges the last year has made, this is your year! By supporting the Van Davis 5K, you’re helping
our student succeed and while supporting your overall health,” she said.
“In 2019, proceeds from the races began funding additional student success initiatives, impacting even more students in Dr.
Davis’ memory,” the website said.
The event will be a chip-timed race, the overall and top three in each male and female age division will receive awards, and anyone who wants to participate in the event virtually can do so.
If the event is canceled due to inclement weather, the race committee hopes participants will consider this as a donation to a worthy cause, the website said.
In 1965, Davis received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Simpson College in Iowa and his BA and Master of Arts degree from Oxford University in England in 1967 and 1971. He also received his Doctor of Philosophy in American History from the University of Virginia in 1972, according to the website.
“His dissertation on the ideology of Northern Democracy during the Civil War and Reconstruction may be found in 14 libraries across the country, including Harvard University and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.”
For 38 years, Davis taught history and political science at Garland County Community College, now NPC, the site said, noting it was his most outstanding achievement.
“He was an inspiring professor and lecturer and held the deepest knowledge and understanding for all the subjects he taught, whether American Government, Western Civilization, or American History. His students were in awe of the knowledge he possessed and considered him an icon on campus and for the community,” it said.
“Dr. Davis challenged his students to do their best daily, and he served as a standard of intellect for others to model. He cared deeply for his students as people, as fellow citizens, and he shared their joy in their successes as scholars and as human beings.”
Davis competed in over 60 marathons, including finishing the Boston Marathon six times and Pikes Peak eight times.
“Van was truly an iron man of marathons. With his familiar beard and his long, lanky legs, many local residents will remember seeing him running around Whittington Park and other Hot Springs roadways,” the website said.
“The Van Davis Memorial 5K is in honor of this community’s most noted intellects, most revered icons, and most professional athletes,” it said.
To register or donate for the event, visit https:// bit.ly/3aNXNDS.