Lyon College students challenge professor in ‘Race the Dr. for Help and Hope’

Lyon College Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Brendan Connell, Professor of Mathematics Dr. Jeremy Chapman and members of the Lyon College Political Science Club and Alpha Chi Honor Society gather during Saturday’s “Race the Dr. for Help and Hope” at Bryan Lake on the Lyon College campus in Batesville. (All images provided by Lyon College.)

The Lyon College Political Science Club and Alpha Chi Honor Society teamed up Saturday for “Race the Dr. for Help and Hope,” a community-focused event held at Bryan Lake that combined friendly competition with a commitment to fighting food insecurity.

Participants, most of them Lyon College students, gathered that morning to race against Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Brendan Connell, an endurance runner who has won the Arkansas Traveler 100 and the Georgia Death Race 74, among others.

For every milestone reached and for those who managed to outrun the professor, the organizations pledged to donate canned goods to the Help and Hope Food Pantry of Batesville. By the end of the event, more than 100 cans had been collected for the local pantry.

Alpha Chi, a national collegiate honor society that recognizes academic excellence across all disciplines, partnered with the Political Science Club to organize and fund the initiative alongside the Lyon College Student Government Association.

Zoe Papazoglou, Student Government Association president, said the event grew out of a desire to pair competition with service.

“The inspiration for this event came from combining a competitive atmosphere with a meaningful cause, which led us to create our slogan for the T-shirts: ‘Outrunning Hunger, One Can at a Time,’” Papazoglou said. “We were glad to help make an impact in the fight against hunger by providing donations to Help and Hope, a local food bank.”

She added that the event reflected the student body’s commitment to community engagement.

“It was wonderful to see the competitive spirit of students come together to support something bigger than themselves,” Papazoglou said. “I think this speaks to the character of Lyon students, those who are always willing to support causes and show up in big ways.”

Papazoglou also credited student organizers for the event’s success.

“I am thrilled to see that all the preparation by Alpha Chi and the Political Science Club was reflected in a great turnout and positive reflections from our participants,” she said.

The event featured both individual runners and relay teams. One team, made up of Brady Cook, Jada-Lynn King and Christian Cox, narrowly defeated Dr. Connell in a close finish that drew cheers from spectators gathered around the lake.

Faculty adviser Professor of Mathematics Dr. Jeremy Chapman said the collaboration was a success.

Participants cross Bryan Lake during Saturday’s “Race the Dr. for Help and Hope” on the Lyon College campus in Batesville.

Christian Cox outpaces Lyon College Assistant Professor of Political Science Brendan Connell during Saturday’s “Race the Dr. for Help and Hope” at Bryan Lake on the Lyon College campus in Batesville.

“The event went very well. It was well-organized and well-attended,” Chapman said. “It was a great opportunity for Alpha Chi to partner with the Political Science Club to make a meaningful impact on our community. The Alpha Chi students applied for a Chapter Grant, and I would like to thank the Alpha Chi national office for their support.”

Alpha Chi member and senior political science major Lizzy Grafton said participants responded positively to the event.

“Participants were able to engage in a fun activity with one of their professors while also contributing to an important cause,” Grafton said. “I am grateful we were able to put this event together before we graduate this May, as the Political Science Department has been talking about doing this for a while.”

In addition to the race, attendees were offered complimentary refreshments catered by Nova Joe’s and smoothies from Planet Smoothie.

Funding from the Student Government Association and Alpha Chi also supported event T-shirts and the cost of donated goods.

Organizers said they hope the event will become a recurring tradition, blending campus engagement with service to the Batesville community.