Ranger College President Dr. William J. Campion was forced to do something he didn’t want to do earlier this week. He pushed the pause button on the popular Day of Champions event that is held each year to help improve the City of Ranger. Due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns, Campion informed city and college officials the annual clean-up effort will be postponed indefinitely.
“This isn’t something we take lightly,” said Campion. “We look forward to this event every year, not only as a way to help the City of Ranger but as a way for the community to get to know the outstanding young men and women that come to our college. Out of concern for the residents of the community and our students during this pandemic, we felt it would be better for everyone to postpone it indefinitely.”
According the national data, more than 7.15 million of cases of the highly contagious flu-like virus have been recorded in the U.S. since March. Since it made its appearance in the U.S., national leaders have attributed more than 207,000 deaths to the virus. Worldwide, more than 32 million cases have been recorded, resulting in more than 900,000 deaths.
As part of Day of Champions, the 400-plus students attending the college’s main campus join forces with city employees and local residents to remove debris, clean streams and property, as well as dispose of used and discarded automobile tires. Over the last three years, RC students, with help from the college’s truck driving program, have removed more than 3,000 tires from the community.
Although saddened by the news of the postponement, Ranger City Manager Chad Roberts said he understood the college’s decision. The overall safety of everyone involved was paramount for city and college officials, he said.
The Day of Champions was scheduled to be held Oct. 17.
Additionally, Campion announced the college’s annual Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony scheduled for Oct. 18 would be held online. The ceremony, which honors the college’s top students, will be streamed online in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
—submitted