Dodging a few Tuesday showers, UND students, faculty, staff and community members put on their running shoes to take a jog with UND interim President Joshua Wynne.
Though he is serving as interim president, Wynne’s primary job is dean of the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, which is how the event got started.
The annual Joggin’ with Josh began in 2010 when Wynne reminded medical and health sciences students not only to encourage their future patients to live healthful lifestyles but also “practice what they preach,” the medical school said in a press release.
Before the informal 5K/10K/one-mile walk, jog or run began Tuesday, Wynne addressed the crowd.
"We talk about having a healthy lifestyle, we talk about exercise, so let's do it," he said.
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Becca Perry and Samantha Peterson, faculty members in the medical labratory science department, said this is their first time participating in the Joggin' with Josh event, but look forward to future years.
"I think it's a great way to advocate health and like Dr. Wynne said, practice what you preach," Peterson said.
Numerous studies have shown that there are benefits to regular exercise, including reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes, improving mental health and adding years to a person’s life, the release said.
The event is being held in conjunction with UND’s Healthy Campus Week. The weeklong push, with Partnership for a Healthier America's Healthier Campus Initiative, “is focused on promoting the great work PHA's campus partners are doing to make healthier choices easier for students, faculty and staff,” according to UND’s website.
Faculty and staff can receive a free membership pass to the UND Wellness Center this week. In addition, students can get any equipment rental from the Outpost for half price all week.
UND also is highlighting its Health Hawks initiative this week, which aims “to enhance the campus experience by making the healthy choice the easy choice for students, faculty and staff,” UND’s website said.
There will be a number of other campus activities centered around Healthy Campus Week, including a visit from the Mobile Farmer’s Market Trolley and drunk goggles dodgeball on Wednesday. On Friday, health and wellness staff will be driving around campus, handing out school-colored fruits and vegetables for National Fruit and Veggie Friday.
