The Daily Tar Heel
Printing news. Raising hell. Since 1893.
Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 Newsletters Latest print issue

We keep you informed.

Help us keep going. Donate Today.
The Daily Tar Heel

Community gathers for 17th annual Eve Carson 5k Run, honoring legacy

20241026_Soukthavone_university-eve-carson-run
Runners take off on East Cameron Avenue during the Eve Carson Memorial 5K for Education on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

On Saturday morning, 338 people participated in the Eve Carson Memorial 5k for Education. Students, community members, families and pets were among the turnout

Eve Marie Carson served as UNC's former student body president before she was kidnapped and murdered in March of 2008. The 5k was started in her honor, with this year being the 17th anniversary of the run. 

Proceeds from the event go toward the Eve Marie Carson Memorial Junior-Year Merit Scholarship and the Pi Beta Phi Literacy Fund. 

According to the scholarship's website, the award is intended to celebrate junior-year students who have exhibited passion and a personal transformation in their time at UNC — mirroring Carson’s vision and platform. 

Carson's vision advocated for a scholarship for students who worked during high school to financially support themselves through college, and as a result were not as involved in positions that lead to typical merit-based scholarships. 

At the 5k, runners gathered in front of Bynum Hall for a 7:30 a.m. start time. Pre-race festivities began earlier with the Clef Hangers, a student a capella group on campus, performing the National Anthem. 

“Someone from Pi Phi reached out to us and talked about their event and its relationship to Eve Carson, and that the purpose of the event really touched me," Clef Hangers Business Manager, Grant Bergeman said. "I think it’s a very important thing.” 

Pi Beta Phi, the sorority that hosts the run, shares philanthropic ideals similar to those of Carson. Chapter President Annie Massey said a passion for bridging the literacy gap, something Carson valued, is embodied through the annual 5k. 

“It's really neat to promote childhood literacy,” Massey said. “I think there is a lot of disparities in that throughout the U.S.”

Speaking on the wide impact of the race, Massey said it brings out lots of community members, not just UNC students and staff, but also local families. 

Eve Carson's impact spans generations. 

Race participant and Chapel Hill resident Sarada Schossow was joined by her husband and two young daughters for the run.

She said the event is important to her family because her husband went to school and was good friends with Carson. The couple even named one of their daughters after her. 

“It’s a very welcoming community,"  Schossow said. "UNC is a big part of our lives, and we want to give back to the community, and show the girls what a community you can be, and to do good in the world."

UNC student Caroline Lapham said while she doesn’t usually run, she thought the event's cause would be a good thing to support.

Similar to Lapham, UNC sophomore Isabela Souto said that“doing something for charity just makes it even better.” 

Alongside current students, former students also ran on Saturday.

UNC alumna Kristin Tzendzalian, said thatshe remembers Carson and decided to participate in her honor.

Zach Mangel, who is an Eve Carson Scholar, said he ran the race to thank the "wonderful" fund for giving him the honor of being a scholar. 

In remembering Carson and her impact, Co-Director of Scholar Engagement and External Development on the Eve Carson Scholarship Student Committee Devon Henderson said that Carson represented the Carolina spirit.

He said she embodied the phrase  — "strive to be great, but always remember to be good.” 

To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.

@dailytarheel| university@dailytarheel.com