The fifth and final Kyle Miller Memorial 5K race is set to take place this Sunday, Sept. 23, at Hilliard Municipal Park in Hilliard, Ohio.
Kyle Miller was an Otterbein zoo and conservation science major and a hurdler on the track team. He died in 2014 due to a boating accident.
Pam Miller, the mother of Kyle Miller, said the amount of work and money raised are reasons why this will be the last race.
“The prep for it is a lot of work,” said Miller. “There’s a large silent auction, so it takes a lot of time to gather donations.”
The Miller family created the race with a goal to raise $25,000: the amount necessary to begin an endowed scholarship. After this year's race, they will have raised approximately $200,000 for the Kyle Miller Memorial Fund.
The fund provides an endowed scholarship for junior and senior Otterbein zoo and conservation science students. The money often goes toward funding experiential learning requirements. It also contributes to wildlife and conservation organizations, as well as track programs.
Approximately $4,000 per year is awarded in scholarship money from the Kyle Miller Memorial Fund.
Sarah Bouchard, chair of the department of biology and earth science, has a role in choosing recipients.
“We look for students that are really enthusiastic about the opportunity and have a really positive outlook on life, their career and their time in college,” said Bouchard. “Basically someone who exhibits Kyle’s passion for wildlife and conservation.”
The fund will continue to grow via the annual Kyle Miller golf outing.
“The outreach of support from friends, family and Otterbein has been amazing,” said Miller. “[The fund] has given the ability to tell Kyle’s story, his passion for wildlife and the importance of wildlife conservation.”
