Day 19: Dean McLeod

Today we started in Jefferson City, MO and ended in St. Louis. We are staying at Washington University in STL (where I attend school!!).

Support van packed to the brim!! 

I was in the support van with Leya for our second time. The support van has two runners that take everyone's duffle bags to the next host city. They get donations for lunch and/or dinner if we don't have it already donated and other odd end jobs. Leya and I were responsible for getting lunch for the entire team and dinner for about half of them. I had already called ahead to find dinner and other donations because I thought the 4^th of July would be a busy day for restaurants and groceries. I assumed that managers wouldn’t do day of donations. Maggiano’s said they would love to help out and will donate 2 catering pasta’s and salad and bread. The manager I spoke to said it will feed about 25 people!

Jill Klein called her sister Lynn, who lives in Chesterfield, and has organized lunch for us! I got a call from Lynn yesterday and talked about when and where to pick up the food. We got to Lynn’s house this morning around 8:30 and she had everything ready for us; Fruit Salad, 4 things of lunchmeat, loafs of bread and bagel thins, condiments, and 2 pies! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful support group!! –Thank you Lynn and all of Susan’s family. We are very much appreciative of all you have done for us on this trip!

Once we got to St. Louis, we emptied out the support van of everyone’s bags and put them in mine and Leya’s suites. Yeah – that’s right – we get beds tonight!! Whoo! We had a $25 dollar gift card to Sam’s club waiting on us, so we went there to buy some breakfast items for tomorrow morning and some BBQ stuff for the Hope Lodge tonight! Half of our team is going to the Hope Lodge to spend time with the patients. They are having a 4^th of July BBQ and hoping to watch some fireworks.

Dan, my boyfriend, met us at Sam’s club. He was our mail drop for St. Louis. He had so many packages he had to put down his back seat to fit them all into his car! And he wrapped them in red, white, and blue paper so they were like presents! We took pictures and sent them to some of the runners so they could be looking forward to arriving. 

all of our packages! 

Leya and I had to drop off the two Ulman interns that have been with us for 3 days now. Their flight was at 12:50. When we got back to campus we set out the lunch items because the runners were beginning to arrive.

People showered and relaxed before heading to the Hope Lodge. When they left, Dan and I went to pick up the Maggiano’s for everyone else. We then went to his parent’s house for dinner. I was glad to have another home cooked meal. While Dan’s parents were still preparing the food, I got to play with their bunny, Luna. Seeing other people’s pets makes me really miss Reggie!

After dinner I was too exhausted to watch fireworks so I went back to WashU and went to sleep.

Today was dedicated to Dean McLeod. He was the Dean of Arts and Sciences when I first arrived on Campus. Freshman year, Dean McLeod died after a three year struggle against cancer. 

"No single individual has had a greater impact on the vitality and the quality of student life at this   University," Wrighton said in a school-wide e-mail. "Jim was truly a man of wisdom, compassion, and steadfast loyalty to the University. He enjoyed deep and lasting respect from all who were fortunate to interact with him." - Chancellor Wrighton

In 2010, a scholarship was set up in McLeod's name to be given to students who exhibit the qualities he prized most highly. These qualities include leadership, academic achievement, commitment to serving other and integrity.

In early September 2011, Dean McLeod Passes away due to complications with cancer. 

I never met Dean McLeod but I have been very involved with programs and faculty members in the first two years I have attended WashU. I know several friends that were close to Dean McLeod and considered him an ally of theirs. It sounds like he was a phenomenal man and WashU lost a great community member. I am proud that WashU recognizes Dean McLeod to this day and I know that they will forever more. To his friends and family - I send my condolences and I am honored to have worn his name on my calves today. He gave me strength to continue my running.