Team Peacock pedals in 11th RAGBRAI

Team Peacock pedaled alongside an estimated 10,000 other registered riders as they departed Sioux City on Sunday as part of the 2015 Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). Twenty-five Upper Iowa University faculty, staff, students, and alumni are being joined by seven additional support crew members during this year’s event.

The UIU riders and other team members actually departed in support vehicles from the Victory Gate on the Fayette Campus Saturday, July 18. Overnight stops during the 480-mile RAGBRAI journey are scheduled in Storm Lake, Fort Dodge, Eldora, Cedar Falls, Hiawatha and Coralville, before the bicycle tires are dipped in the Mississippi River in Davenport on Saturday, July 25.

Since 2005, Team Peacock has raised more than $1.4 million in an effort to further support UIU students and activities. As in the past, this year’s participants including President William R. Duffy have set individual goals in raising funds for a select UIU project or program.

“We have a motto here at Upper Iowa University, which is ‘Changing Lives One Student at a Time,’” said Dr. Duffy, who is riding in his sixth RAGBRAI as a Team Peacock member. “The scholarships we ride for are some of the greatest gifts our students can receive to ensure his or her continued success. Without the scholarships, many students would not be able to receive a quality education or further pursue their educational and career goals.”

“Upper Iowa’s participation each summer in RAGRBRAI and at the Iowa State Fair has had a huge impact in both providing the University better visibility across the state and becoming better connected with its alumni,” added Kata McCarville, Team Peacock support crew leader and UIU faculty member.   “Although not compelled to raise funds, the Support Crew has also gathered donations toward scholarships (ex. Linda Haines Scholarship, General Scholarship Fund) for several years. This year, I’m personally raising funds toward the UIU Environmental Leadership Scholarship.”

Additional beneficiaries from this year’s Team Peacock fundraising effort will include: UIU in 3D (creating a sculpture and ceramics studio), Military Family Fund, Military and Veterans Service Center, Raising the Bar (strength and conditioning facility renovations), UIU Annual Fund, and other various Upper Iowa University academic programs and athletic teams.

Team Peacock merchandise is available at Pavo Blue in Fayette. A portion of the proceeds from Team Peacock shirt sales will go toward the UIU General Scholarship Fund. Additional information on the Team Peacock participants, funding projects, and support forms can be found at givetouiu.org/teampeacock.

Meanwhile, photos can be viewed from the ride at https://www.flickr.com/photos/upperiowauniversity/sets/72157653788828274 or https://www.facebook.com/teampeacock.