18 freshmen, 40 miles on the Appalachian Trail, 1 amazing orientation experience at University of Richmond

Monday morning 18 incoming freshmen men will embark on a two-day, 40-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail as part of their pre-orientation to University of Richmond.

This is the second year for the program, led by Patrick Benner, associate dean for Residence Life of Richmond College. “It’s about being able to talk on the trail,” he said. “We start off talking about who has the best delivery pizza and move on to talk about what they want to achieve on campus, their concerns and their worries.”

“It’s the challenge from the physical to the emotional side,” Benner said. “You have to have grit.”

The hike plays off of the year Richmond College was founded – 1840. Eighteen men will hike 40 miles.

Benner will be joined by Lt. Eric Beatty of the university’s police department. Beatty, who is an avid outdoorsman and a 2000 alumni, said the opportunity to lead the hike is a way for him to “help them to transition” to university life.

“I hope they will come to see me as a face on campus they can talk to,” he said.

Benner selected students with a wide range of hiking levels from those who have next to no hiking experience to those who are Eagle Scouts.

They depart Monday morning at 7:15 a.m. and return about 8 p.m. Tuesday.

 # # #