Jerry Ellis Scholarship Fund

Jerry Ellis, friend and former director of the University of Maine College Success Programs, is undertaking a 4,300 mile cross-country bicycle trip to raise money for the Jerry Ellis Scholarship Fund.

He and fellow biker, John Hwalek, associate professor chemical engineering, will dip their bikes in the Pacific Ocean at Alexander Beach in Anacortes, Washington (north of Seattle), on June 18, and will cycle their way across country to dip their bikes in the Atlantic Ocean at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine, around August 12. Will they be back by then?

You can see their intended route on this Google map.

Jerry notes, "My goal for this summer is to grow the scholarship fund $20,000. At this level, the Foundation allows the withdrawal of funds for scholarships. All gifts will be there forever, as this is an endowed fund. So low-income and first generation students at UMaine will benefit from the interest forever."

Will you help keep Jerry's wheels turning for first generation and low-income college students? You can make a donation to the Jerry Ellis Scholarship Fund by clicking on the pledge form link below:

Jerry's Trek Pledge Form Progress: $12,000 (60%) as of July 4!  The Jerry Ellis Scholarship Fund was established at the University of Maine Foundation in honor of Gerald C. Ellis, Director of the University of Maine College Success Programs, for his 33 years of dedicated service to the Onward Program. Earnings from the fund will provide scholarship support for students enrolled in the Onward Program at the University of Maine.

->●Click here for the full day-by-day text of their trek.●<-. Jerry and John will add periodic updates as they move eastward toward their goal. Check in frequently. Below are updates from the above link:

Trek update
6/17: They have arrived and have started biking. "We are currently in Freeland, WA..."
6/18: "We had a beautiful ride up to Anacortes. It was an..."
6/19: "We pedaled into a stiff headwind today. We began our..."
6/20: "Big ride today! We crossed the Cascades climbing..."
6/21: "Another day uphill, but only 12 miles up this time..."
6/22: "Headed north into a stiff head wind this morning. Felt..."
6/23: "Faced our fourth mountain pass in 4 days today. 18..."
6/24: 526 miles covered so far. Now in Idaho. "Had a big breakfast at Arbys before we started out..."
6/26: "We had a good ride today. Some ups and downs, but..."
6/27: Now in Montana. "It was a slow ride today, but the scenery was beautiful..."
6/29: "We are currently at mile 830. Took the day off..."
6/30: "Now the rest of the story from yesterday: when I filed..."
7/1: "After 2 weeks, we finally had our 1st day riding in the..."
7/2: 1071 miles covered so far. "We had a long day of riding today. The weather was..."
7/3: "We started out a little slow today after the long ride..."
7/4: Happy July 4th, Jerry & John!
7/5: 1232 miles covered so far. "We stayed put in Havre to celebrate July 4, watched..."
7/6: "What a difference a day makes. Without the wind at...Montana is a beautiful state and we have enjoyed our stay and the wonderful people we have met but it will be a psychological boost to finally cross into another state."
7/7: "This will be our last night in Montana. Of the 21 days..."
7/8: Now in North Dakota. 1456 miles covered so far - about 1/3 of the way! "Had a short ride today but a big step - we finally..."
7/9: 1625 miles covered so far. "We had a very nice day with Lorna, and Gordon in..."
7/10: They were presented the key to the town hall! Read on: "It was a hard 60 miles into the wind today. The wind..."
7/11: "We had an outstanding day of riding today. The day..."
7/12: 1870 miles covered so far. "It may be hard to believe but the wind was stronger..."
7/13: Now in Minnesota. "We left Fargo this morning and crossed the river into..."
7/14: 2000 miles covered so far. "We thought we were home but we were only in Maine..."
7/15: "It was a long hot day today but we made big miles..."
7/16: They have passed the 1/2 way mark! 2202 miles covered so far. "We had our second day of riding in the rain this..."
7/17: "We started the day with some trepidation because..."
7/19: "Had a very relaxing day off in Red Wing. It is a..."
7/20: 2448 miles covered so far. Now in Marquette, IA. "The route today followed closely along the Mississippi..."
7/21: "We hit some good hills today. They were much longer..."
7/22: 2597 miles covered so far. "They sure do grow a lot of corn in Iowa. It seemed like..."
7/23: "I was struck again yesterday how quickly the terrain..."
7/25: "We had a wonderful day off yesterday at Mike's and..."
7/26: "I knew it was going to be a hot one when I walked..."
7/27: Now in Indiana. "Made good mileage today as we completed another..."
7/28: Now in Ohio. "The flat terrain has been good to us as we turned in..."
7/29: 3139 miles covered so far. "Long day. We did not roll into town until 7:30 PM..."
7/30: "Sunset over Lake Erie We started out a bit anxious about our ride through Cleveland. we hit the city late..."
7/31: Now in New York. "Velva and me. I met Velva this morning, the 82 year..."
8/1: "We've made it to my (John's) hometown, Rochester, NY, with..."
8/4: Less than 600 miles from Bar Harbor! 3539 miles covered so far. "We are back on the road again after 2 days of R and..."
8/5: "We are definitely back in the hills today. Lots of ups..."
8/6: 3706 miles covered so far. "We started the day in a drenching rain. Fortunately it only lasted about an hour. By noon the clouds had..."
8/7: Currently in Vermont.  "We reached two more milestones today. The first..."
8/8: John and Jerry will be in Maine Saturday! 3864 miles covered so far. "It was another hilly day of riding through Vermont and..."
8/9: "Maine! We are finally back in Maine. Gee its great to..."
8/10: 3990 miles covered so far. "Only about 100 miles to go. We plan to finish on Tuesday afternoon in Bar Harbor. We had a..."
8/11: Note - Jerry and John plan to arrive at Sand Beach on Tuesday, August 12.
8/12: They have arrived! Jerry and John dipped their bikes in the Atlantic Ocean at Sand Beach at 3:15 pm. Congratulations, Jerry and John! Welcome home.

->●Click here for the full day-by-day text of their trek.●<-