All the money will be used to provide tuition assistance to deserving Honors College students, said college Dean Brian Railsback.

During the pledge ride, Railsback was accompanied by Honors College student and WCU Bike Team member Joe Mullins, and other bike team members, as he cycled from the Cullowhee campus to Richland Balsam, the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The cyclists made it to Richland Balsam, but ended the ride on the downhill return to Cullowhee because of heavy rain and high winds.

Funds raised through the pledge ride include major donations from the Honors College student board of directors, chaired by Jessica Myers; John Clarke of Whittier; and Honors College Advisory Board members and Highlands residents E.J. and Nancy Tarbox, Mark and Kathy Whitehead, and Bill and Sally Wallace.

Honors College students also will benefit from a large donation provided through the estate gift of an anonymous donor, Railsback said.

In addition to Mullins, other bike team members who participated in the ride are Ryan Dunn, Daniel Zimmer and Brian Burks. They were assisted by bike team driver and president Ted Denning. Railsback and Mullins were supported by Honors College students Jillian Sapp, Michael O’Shea and Mark Roloff.

Railsback said the Honors College will plan another pledge ride for 2007, which will be the 10th anniversary of the creation of the college at WCU.

For more information about WCU’s Honors College, call its office at (828) 227-7383.