Running Strong Together: Run for Steph Continues to Inspire
Run for Steph has brought Dickinsonians and Dickinson families together every Homecoming & Family Weekend during the past 20 years. Photo by Joe O'Neill.
Recalling Stephanie Kreiner '03 during 20th-anniversary year
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
This fall marks the 20th anniversary of Dickinson’s Run for Steph. It’s a perfect time to remember Stephanie Kreiner ’03, whose life was all too brief, but whose legacy continues to burn bright through the Homecoming & Family Weekend tradition bearing her name.
Kreiner was a biology major and lacrosse player at Dickinson who also helped out with the field-hockey team. Her former professors, classmates and teammates remember her as a hard-working and sociable student-athlete who forged close connections through athletics and Kappa Kappa Gamma and also in class.
Contagious joy
A strong sense of community lies at the heart of the annual Run for Steph. Photo by Joe O'Neill.
"Her joy for learning was contagious—she made the lab portion of her classes fun, and was a much-sought after lab partner,” remembers Associate Professor of Biology Mike Roberts, who taught Kreiner in two courses. “She loved her college and was devoted to her friends, teammates and classmates. It was obvious that Stephanie was respected and admired by all who knew her.”
Kreiner remained in touch with Dickinson friends as she progressed through nursing school. With only a semester to go, she was struck and killed by a speeding vehicle operated by an intoxicated driver. It was October 2004—roughly a year after her Dickinson graduation—and news of her tragic passing sent shockwaves of grief across campus. A committee was organized to plan an event honoring her memory.
“It was important to us all that representatives from the areas of the college that meant the most to Stephanie—the biology department, athletics and Kappa Kappa Gamma—would be involved,” says Chief of Staff and Secretary of the College Karen Neely Faryniak ’86, who, along with Roberts, has served on the Run for Steph committee since its inception. “Because of how much athletics meant to Stephanie, we decided to organize a run, with proceeds benefiting the McAndrews Fund for Athletics.”
Exponential growth
Over the years, Run for Steph has grown to average about 550 participants annually. Photo by Joe O'Neill.
Kreiner’s family gave its blessing, and representatives from the lacrosse and field-hockey teams, the biology department and Kappa Kappa Gamma each played a part in the first Run for Steph. Some handled publicity or registration, while others set up the route and cheered on the runners.
The 2005 Run for Steph drew 93 participants and raised just under $3K.Over the years, it grew to include 400-500 attendees annually, and to date, it's raised a total of $115,182 in support of Red Devil athletics. Run for Steph has also expanded its scope to include a quiz and signage that raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol misuse. Participants may also sign a pledge to avoid drinking while impaired.
There have been many memorable moments. Halloween-weekend events featured runners and walkers in costumes. 2011 was a record-breaking year, with $11K raised. In 2014, Amy Rankin ’03, seriously injured in the accident that took Kreiner’s life, participated for the very first—but far from last—time, and those cheering on Rankin included Kreiner’s family. (With the exception of the inaugural event and the pandemic year, when Run for Steph went virtual, members of Kreiner’s family have attended every year.)
Lasting legacies
The Run for Steph display was installed in the Kline Center in 2024. Photo by Dan Loh.
Last year, Dickinson installed a permanent Run for Steph display in the Kline Center that includes signage, photos, a box to collect pledges and Kreiner’s framed lacrosse jersey, which is emblazoned with Kreiner's lacrosse number, 17.
That number is retired in Kreiner's honor, says Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach Kim Masimore, who typically selects a player to give remarks prior to the run and walk and discusses Kreiner’s legacy with the team every fall. "We also have a #17 jersey framed in our locker room to keep Steph's legacy alive," Masimore adds. "In that way, she is always with our team."
“One of the things that I find meaningful is that all of the departments and organizations that helped organize the first Run for Steph are still involved today, and even though almost none of the current coaches or students were here when Steph was a student, they fully understand what she means to this community,” says Faryniak. “So to me, it’s a perfect example of what it means to be a part of the Dickinson community, and it exemplifies the strong sense of connection we share.”
Roberts agrees, and adds that the event’s educational aspects connect directly to the values his former student held dear.
“Run for Steph has not only raised funds to support student-athletes for 20 years but also has raised awareness of the consequences of impaired driving,” he explains. “While Stephanie’s intended career in nursing was not realized, her story has undoubtedly saved lives.”
Learn more about the 20th-anniversary Run for Steph.
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Published October 29, 2024