SMC To Host 5K Benefit Run For Injured Alum, Brothers

09/10/09 — ’08 Grad Jeremy Vangsnes Has Been In Coma Since July 21 Following Traffic Accident

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SPARTANBURG, SC - Spartanburg Methodist College will be hosting a benefit 5K Run / 1 Mile Fun Walk open to the general public on Oct. 3 which will raise money to help offset the medical costs of one of its own alumni.  

Jeremy Vangsnes, an SMC 2008 graduate from Cowpens, SC, was severely injured in a vehicle accident on July 21 near Bozeman, MT. Also injured in the accident were two of his brothers, Dan and Ryan.

The Vangsnes brothers were returning to a summer missions program after a weekend getaway when the accident occurred. Their brother Ryan suffered only minor injuries in the crash; however, Jeremy and Dan were both seriously injured. Jeremy suffered a severe closed head injury and was airlifted to a hospital in Billings where he would stay for over a month.

After his long stay in an ICU and later an acute care facility in Montana he recently returned to S.C. on a medical flight where he continues his journey of recovery. Dan suffered multiple deep wound injuries but has made amazing strides rehabbing in Montana and will soon be coming home to Spartanburg.     

In order to help the Vangsnes family with their medical costs, SMC is sponsoring the Jeremy Vangsnes 5K Benefit Run to be held the morning of the College's 2009 Homecoming / Family Day. The event will start at 8:30 am. at the SMC softball field. Registration is $10 per participant, with free entry fees for children 12 and under.  

There will also be a 1 Mile Fun Walk for those who do not wish to or who are unable to do the 5K Run. Both courses will be around the perimeter of the campus on a closed road course. The 5K will include some side streets adjacent to Powell Mill Road. The 5K will be a timed event, however no prizes will be awarded. The event is open to anyone in the general public. Each participant will receive an event t-shirt.  

A fund has been set up at First Baptist Spartanburg to help cover family expenses. All money raised during the Oct. 3 event will go directly into that fund.

"With the impact that running has had on Jeremy's life, I think it is only fitting that we honor him in this way.  SMC is excited to be able to host this event.  We want to do everything we can to support the family during this time of recovery.  We hope that the community will come out and support this event," says SMC director of student activities and leadership development Kim Day.

Event registration and additional details are online at www.smcsc.edu/jeremy

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Jeremy Vangsnes made a big impact on Spartanburg Methodist College.

He ran on the men's cross country team both of his years at SMC, where he was an All-American track star and a three-time all Academic All-American. He graduated in 2008 cum laude with an Associates in Arts degree. He was also named to the Who's Who Among Students In American Junior Colleges.

 "Jeremy seemed to do well in everything he tried," says Lisa Isenhower, an SMC professor of English who taught Vangsnes and also served as his advisor.

"He was certainly one of the best student writers I ever had the privilege of teaching. He was very quiet in class, on the outside, but inside there was a lot going on. He had flashes of insight that were so mature for his age that really came out in his writing. I always knew if I called on him, he would have something very insightful or profound to say," adds Isenhower.

He holds the school's track records in the mile and 10,000 meters and in the Cross County 8K, five of the school's Top 10 times in the 8K, and is its top men's cross country runner of all time.

 "Jeremy was such an amazing student athlete - he pushed himself to succeed as an athlete and academically. He always had a smile. Everyone loved him and all of his teammates looked up to him. He was a true role model to everyone around him. He has always been a true sportsman. It's student athletes like Jeremy that make us all proud to be associated with the Pioneer Athletics program and the college as a whole," says SMC athletic director Mark Perdue.

The entire SMC community continues to support and pray for Jeremy's recovery.

 "The strength and faith of Jeremy's family is amazing. They are strong Christian witnesses who are in the midst of any parents' and any family's worst nightmare - and I admire how they are getting through this. They're in our prayers every day," comments Isenhower.

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 99th academic year of providing quality education to students in a Christian environment.  More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.

For more information, contact Brian Fulkerson, director of public information, at (864) 587-4254.

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