If power walking were an official Guilford sport, senior Dave Kaplan would serve as the team captain.The senior from Plainview, New York, perfected the art of power walking during his Guilford career. He is often spotted in his black headphones briskly walking on the track and under the tree-lined paths around campus. Whether it’s his smooth, even-paced rhythm, or the way his hands glide him to the next step, his distinct style cannot be imitated.

Kaplan loves walking so much that he persuaded 25 Guilford community members to walk three miles with him around a lake in Greensboro. He even got them to raise $1,400 to walk with him.

The fact that Dave organized Guilford’s first team for the annual Triad MS Walk is not surprising for those close to him. This self-starter embodies the ideals of an involved student with a genuine appreciation of Guilford – something too often missing from the rest of us.

Kaplan’s service to Guilford over his tenure is extensive – most notably serving as the Academic Rep. in Senate for the past four years and being the student tour guide coordinator in Admissions for the past three and a half years.

Dave first got involved with MS Walks in the early ’90’s. A family friend of his who has MS, along with his fondness for walking, prompted Dave to start. He continued his involvement in the walks throughout high school, volunteering to check-in and register walkers.

MS is a debilitating neurological disease that affects the muscles. Paralysis and loss of vision often result. Several thousand Americans are affected by this incurable disease.

“They estimate that they are only two to three years away from finding a cure,” says Kaplan. “So there is a lot of hope.”

The walkers paced around the lake at Country Park in Greensboro on the beautiful Sunday afternoon of April 7. The team later enjoyed a pizza lunch together on the deck overlooking the lake.

A few lucky Guilford team members won door prizes. Emily Bebber, who works in the Admission office, won a gift certificate to the Village Tavern restaurant. Bebber was among four other Guilford staff people on the team.

“Being asked to participate by the students, to me, was an honor,” said Pat Anderson, who works in the Business Office. “I really enjoyed getting to spend some time with them outside of Guilford.”

Each walker raised money in the form of pledges to aid the discovery for a cure. Jenny Shirey, a first-year Binford resident, raised the most money – $330. The total event raised $43,000.

Sarah Austin, a junior and Binford RA, co-organized the team with Kaplan by planning several of the logistics. Kaplan also lives in Binford serving as a first-year mentor.

The Bookstore donated a few water bottles, pennants, and Guilford stickers while the First Year Center picked up the tab for every walker.

Kaplan modestly shrugs off any compliments on his work, only saying, “Guilford has been very good to me.