Team Peacock pedal power generates support for students

For each of the past 11 summers, a small band of Upper Iowa University faithful have utilized pedal power during the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) to give financial support to UIU students and activities.

“Year in and year out, this group of riders and their support teams have been the epitome of what it means to be a Peacock,” said Upper Iowa President William R. Duffy. “They have not only helped raise an enormous amount of funding for scholarships and programming, but have fostered a great amount of awareness about UIU across the state.”

“We have enjoyed having Team Peacock join us each summer. Not only do the Upper Iowa University students, alumni and faculty have a good time riding across the state, but they are also doing so for a great cause,” RAGBRAI director T.J. Juskiewicz added, noting the dedicated efforts of UIU and similar teams do not go unnoticed by ride officials. “We always look forward to seeing Team Peacock on RAGBRAI!”

Among the Team Peacock members already looking forward to next year’s event is Michelle Jacobsen ’03, who attained her personal goal and raised $750 for the Andres School of Education this past summer.

“For me, everything about this year’s event was a highlight,” said the Goose Lake native, who in 2015 rode in her second RAGBRAI but in her first as a member of Team Peacock. “As an alum and current adjunct instructor in the Teacher Education Department at the Quad Cities Center, I hold UIU near and dear. To have the opportunity to participate with Team Peacock and raise scholarship money for the Andres School of Education, which made me who I am today, is indescribable. There was a lot of pride in wearing the Team Peacock gear all week and being recognized by numerous other riders along the route.”

Anyone wishing to donate to a 2015 Team Peacock Project and/or program, or participate in RAGRBRAI 2016 as a Team Peacock member, may contact Brenda Luzum in the Office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Development at 563-425-5238 or email luzumb@uiu.edu.