Students who want to get acquainted with new University of
California President Robert Dynes will get their chance
““Â that is, if they are willing to wake up at 6 a.m. and
run for four miles.
Dynes, an avid runner and fitness enthusiast, has invited UCLA
students and faculty who share his love of running to join him on a
run around the UCLA perimeter on Tuesday.
“It is basically a low-key, informal, friendly opportunity
to share President Dynes’ enthusiasm for fitness and
running,” said Glennis Waterman, event manager for UCLA
Special Events, the group organizing the run.
The run starts at 6:30 a.m. but students can show up at 6 a.m.
for a 30-minute warm-up.
The run will proceed around the perimeter of the entire campus,
starting and ending at the bottom of Janss Steps.
Though this is the first time Dynes has run at UCLA, he is
no stranger to running alongside students.
During his time as chancellor of UC San Diego, Dynes
participated in a yearly 5K run with his wife, also an avid runner.
Over the years, the event became a way to raise scholarship
funds, with Dynes donating money for every student or faculty
member who beat his running time.
Abby Lunardini, spokeswoman for the UC Office of the President,
said this would be a good opportunity for students to meet the man
responsible for running the entire UC system.
“President Dynes is a pretty informal guy. He likes to
meet students and faculty in this very casual setting, and students
should definitely take advantage, if they can wake up that
early,” Lunardini said.
She added that she isn’t sure how many people are expected
to attend, but a recent run held at UC Riverside attracted about 50
participants.
Because UCLA is a bigger campus, more students are
expected.
Waterman also encouraged student participation.
“Just show up wearing your running shoes and run; it
should be fun,” she said.