This spring, SMU Wellpower will sponsor the “One Step at a Time” walking challenge from March 26 to April 22. Under the leadership of Provost Paul Ludden, this year’s Pace Team is filled with academic all-stars including Deans David Chard, Gillian McCombs, and Bill Tsutsui. Famous for his “walkabouts,” the Provost may be found locally roaming the shores of White Rock Lake or abroad on a walking safari in the wilds of Africa. He encourages participants to get out and explore the many wonders of nature found all around us.
Create a Team
The Provost’s Pace Team challenges you to recruit three colleagues (staff and/or faculty) to create your own walking team as we take “one step at a time” toward a more healthy campus community. Teams should select a memorable team name and a captain who will be responsible for team communication and for reporting team progress on a weekly basis.
Monitor Steps Using a Pedometer
Team members should count their steps for 5 days out of each week using a pedometer. Participants may wear their pedometers every day and just count the top 5 days. Wellpower will provide the first 100 teams with basic pedometers to use in this challenge. Additional and replacement pedometers will be available until the supply is gone. Participants are welcome to use their own pedometers, as well. The Team Progress Board will be updated weekly so you can see how many teams have beaten the step goal for that week.
Challenge Special Events
Wellpower will sponsor two noontime walks during the challenge, and teams are encouraged to sign up and walk our beautiful campus together. Individuals who are not participating in the team challenge are also invited to attend the Wellpower Walks this spring. Use the link below to sign up for the Wellpower Walks this spring.
Friday, March 30, 2012, will be our official “SMU Start Walking” day, celebrating our partnership with the American Heart Association. Friday, April 20, 2012, marks the last work day of the challenge and Founder’s Day, so join us to get in those final extra steps. We will walk to the groundbreaking ceremony for the Residential Commons scheduled for 12:30pm on Doak Walker Plaza. Please come to the walk a little early if possible and we’ll take the long way around to the ceremony. Participants are welcome to stay for the ceremony or continue the walk on their own.
Wear a Wellpower or SMUÂ t-shirt and and show your support for wellness in the SMU community. We hope to snap a quick picture of the group before we begin each walk.
Wellpower Walk     March 30, 2012    12 noon     Meet on the steps of Dallas Hall
Wellpower Walk    April 20, 2012       12 noon     Meet on the steps of Dallas Hall
Individuals wishing to register for the walks may use the link below. Teams may either sign up for Wellpower Walks when they register their team for the challenge, or members may sign up as individuals later.
Prizes
All teams who exceed the pace set by our Provost’s team will earn a commemorative challenge t-shirt and be entered into a random drawing for one of two prize packages.
Prize Package 1
- 30-minute Dedman Center chair massage certificate
- Wellpower backpack
- Wellpower water bottle
Prize Package 2
- $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble
- Wellpower logo stadium blanket
- Wellpower water bottle
Register Your Team by 5pm March 16, 2012
Register now and team captains will receive additional information to help them coordinate their teams successfully during the challenge.
Additional Challenge Details and Resources
Questions? Email us at wellpower@smu.edu
