TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Lacing up their sneakers to raise money for the American Heart Association's Big Bend Heart Walk were 164 FSU College of Business students, faculty and staff at Tom Brown Park on Saturday, Oct. 7. They successfully raised more than $8,580 to fund heart disease and stroke research, which captured the college's team third place in fundraising among the 100 local businesses and organizations also participating in the Heart Walk.

"I am elated with the phenomenal participation and fundraising efforts of our students," states Caryn L. Beck-Dudley, FSU's dean of the College of Business. "Our goal is provide our students with a well-rounded learning experience, and community service plays an important role. We are fostering civic responsibility and building their leadership skills through their involvement with our local community."

The college was well represented by its students through their business fraternities and organizations including: Alpha Kappa Psi, the American Marketing Society, Beta Alpha Psi, Delta Epsilon Chi, Delta Sigma Pi, the Financial Management Association, the Real Estate Society, the Insurance Society at FSU and the Minority Business Society.

Faculty and staff from the college's seven departments also walked for the cause and contributed to the monies collected.

This year's event was headed by the college's Betty Smith, executive assistant to the dean, who once again volunteered her time as the team captain. Also assisting Smith in her efforts were professors Bill Woodyard and Pat Pallentino, and Sarah Tuttle, a senior majoring in accounting.

The Heart Walk is the single-largest fundraiser for the American Heart Association (AHA), which raises millions of dollars to fight heart disease and stroke-the nation's #1 and #3 killers. Funds raised serve our community through education, community programs, research and advocacy. FSU receives hundreds of thousands of dollars from the AHA to perform research in this area.

For more information about the College of Business, please go to www.cob.fsu.edu.