July 23, 2009

Fresno State’s first Wellness Challenge concludes Wednesday, May 2, with a celebration and grand prize giveaway from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. in the University Student Union south patio (The Pit).  Kopi Sotiropolous of KMPH Channel 26 will be the host.

Prizes to be given to Wellness Challenge participants include an iPod nano, laptop computer, hot air balloon ride with brunch for two, Nintendo Wii and two four-day cruises to Mexico for two (one for faculty/staff, one for students). Student finalists are Megan Jacobsen, Andreanna Rodriquez, Kelly Ebert, Yazmin Correa, Ashley Marcinkowski and Stefany Fuge. Faculty/staff finalists are Amy Allen, Janice Brown, Gary Nelson, Sandra Archacki, Margie Upton and Lori Clune.

The winner of the free healthy lunch for those participating in the group competition also will be announced.

Audience members will have the opportunity to win iPod Shuffles, movie passes and Wellness Challenge t-shirts. They will also get a chance to meet Glen Gaesser, author of New York Times best-seller “Big Fat Lies: The Truth About Your Weight and Your Health” and to win an autographed copy of his book. Gaesser has appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” “20/20” and “World News Tonight,” “NBC Nightly News” and “Dateline NBC” and on CNN.

Gaesser also will speak Tuesday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Alice Peters Auditorium at the University Business Center as part of the Interdisciplinary Distinguished Scholar Lecture Series in the College of Health and Human Services.The event is free and open to the public.

Sponsors and supporters of the Wellness Challenge include: Life Work Links, California State Automobile Association, Associated Student Inc., University Food Services, Blue Cross of California, Producers Dairy, Apple, Whole Foods Marketand Magic Moments hot air balloon rides.