Competing for Fun and Funds:
The 1st Annual

Who We Are
WFU is an academic collegiate university
Private, co-ed liberal arts institution
Located in Winston-Salem, NC (since 1956)
It is mid-size, 4476 undergraduates, Total
enrollment: 6862
Traditional setting, the undergrads live on
campus and rely on the library

Mission

Wake the Library
In 2004, the library director proposed that we stay
open all night during exams
Staff decided it would be nice to feed the students at
midnight
Sought funds from other university departments to
purchase the food for 250 to 300 students per night.

Susan Smith and Erik Mitchell

WTL 5K Mission
Fund raising and Community Building
We had a 5K (runner and walker friendly) preceded by a 1 mile fun run
To raise money for the “Wake the Library” event every year, and get the community
involved with the library and the campus.

Partnerships, Relationships, Sponsorships

Mechanics
Marketing
Hire a timing company
Security for race day
Photographer
Food for race day
Website registration
Prizes for the winners
Medical attendants in case of injury
Expo on race day
Music and a PA for race day

Marketing

Preparation is Key
•Map out the 5 K course
•Prepare it
•Mark it so no one gets
lost

Budget/Costs
Campus police T-shirts
Brochures Signage
Timing Company Finish Line Balloons
Food

Crowdsourcing A Race
Found partners on campus
Fleet Feet (a runners store)
Campus Recreation
The timing company
Participated in other campus events
to raise interest and awareness

Volunteers!
Library
Student
Assistants And Staff!

Race Day with
the Deacon

An All Ages Event!

What’s the
Bottom Line Raised :
$2750 in donations from on campus
$3900 in donations from off campus
$2960 in entry fees

Lessons Learned
Approach corporate donors early
Outsource, get help
Find an expert
Divide the labor
You may
make more
money if you
get more
Involve the donors,
students: lower the
Greek entry fee
organizations
Student
Government

Second annual WTL5K is scheduled for
Homecoming Weekend, 2009!
Beyond the Finish Line

Contact Info:
Susan Smith:
smithss@wfu.edu
Erik Mitchell:
mitcheet@wfu.edu
Mary Beth Lock:
lockmb@wfu.edu