It was a rainy, cold weekend, but that didn’t stop the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Northwest Harris County (NWHC) Heart Walk at Lone Star College-University Park (LSC-University Park).
On Saturday, Nov. 19, LSC-University Park faculty, staff, and students joined some 1500 community members and numerous pets to support the cause and celebrate heart disease and stroke survivors. This year is the 7th year LSC-University Park has hosted the AHA NWHC Heart Walk and the first time for the expo and walk to take place in one of the college parking garages to combat the elements. LSC-University Park student Kandace Gipson sang the National Anthem to help kick off the walk.
“We do whatever it takes to help make the event a success. As the community’s college, opening our campus and partnering with the AHA to host the Heart Walk is important because it will positively impact our community’s well-being,” said Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park president and member of AHA’s Executive Leadership Team. “We are grateful to the sponsors, donors, walkers, volunteers, community leaders, companies, and educational partners who showed up or pitched in to make the event a success.
This year, over $215,000 has been raised to help find a cure for heart disease and stroke through research, healthcare quality improvement, advocacy, prevention, and education. The fundraising total is expected to climb as additional donations come in and with Giving Tuesday on Nov. 29.
LSC-University Park teams exceeded their $5,000 goal and raised nearly $9,500 for this important event. About 300 students, faculty, staff, administrators, and family members from LSC participated this year.
Kayla Griffin, AHA corporate market development director, praised LSC-University Park’s sponsorship, fundraising and partnership. “After months of preparation and having the walk outside at the beautiful LSC-UP campus for years, the weather forced us to quickly pivot and transform the parking garage into the best experience possible for our partners, walkers, survivors, and volunteers,” said Griffin. “With the collaborative efforts and quick action of the LSC-University Park team, this walk was a great success. The AHA team and I are forever grateful for LSC-UP being key partners in the community.”
Established in 2012, Lone Star College-University Park has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative higher education institutions in the country. Under its founding president, Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park is devoted to impacting the community's prosperity and upward mobility through student success. The college's competent and compassionate faculty and staff provide students with holistic and immersive education and training in disciplines and industries that meet current and future workforce needs.
Located on the grounds of the former Compaq Computer Corporation and Hewlett Packard's world headquarters, LSC-University Park's facilities include the Center for Science & Innovation, the Energy & Manufacturing Institute, Learning Innovation Labs, and the Geology Rock Wall. It is also home to the University of Houston-NW Downtown, Lone Star Corporate College, iSchool, and YMCA Children's Academy.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2022 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education, ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers By State’ list, and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.
