HPU Student Embarks on Cross-Country Bike Ride to Raise Awareness
HIGH POINT, N.C., July 2, 2024 – High Point University senior Wayne Burger is biking 4,300 miles across the United States this summer to help raise awareness and money for people with disabilities. He has raised more than $18,000 in donations so far, putting him within reach of his goal of $20,000.
Burger, an exercise science major from Fairfax, Virginia, joined a group of 50 Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members that left Seattle, Washington, on June 4. The cyclists will ride an average of 70 miles per day over the next two months until they reach the lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 10.
Burger is scheduled to graduate from HPU in Spring 2025. He is riding as part of Pi Kappa Phi’s Journey of Hope, an annual event in which more than 100 men spread awareness for people with disabilities and celebrate the abilities of all people while testing their limits during the grueling ride.
“I’ve never done anything like this before. I was drawn to the Journey of Hope as it allows me to put my values into action, something that HPU continually instills in me and every student,” Burger said. “Actually, it’s about doing something that has a direct and indirect impact on people’s lives, including my own. Now a few weeks into it, my perspective is clearer. This is a life-changing, physically challenging and honestly quite emotional experience. The ride has been beautiful, my fellow riders are incredible, and most impactful has been meeting the organizations that work with people with disabilities.”
Burger’s cross-country trip will take him through 13 states — Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia. He will stop in more than 50 cities along the way and arrive in the nation’s capital less than two weeks before HPU’s fall semester starts on Aug. 19.
“Wayne is a great example of the caring spirit that our students have, and I couldn’t be prouder of him,” said HPU President Nido Qubein. “Instead of taking it easy before his senior year of college, he’s pushing himself physically and bringing attention to a great cause. High Point University was happy to contribute toward his goal of raising money for people with disabilities.”
All the funds that Burger raises will go directly to benefit people with disabilities. All donations are 100% tax deductible. Anyone can donate by clicking here to visit his fundraising page.
