Belhaven University will partner with the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation to further the University’s commitment to fostering healthy life styles for its students, faculty, staff, and the Belhaven community-at-large.

Made possible by a $350,000 grant from the Foundation, the key components of the effort revolve around the development of two walking trails on the University’s 46 acre campus; informative and interactive health and wellness seminars, the completion of the campus exercise center, and the addition of a wellness message into the many summer camps held on the BU campus.

Construction has already begun on the walking trails with an anticipated completion date of November. The “Campus Gold” trail will be approximately a mile in length and traverse the outside of the campus while the “Academic Green” trail will be just under a half mile and will highlight the center of campus.

The community health seminars will kick-off in January and will feature local and regional experts. Both the walking trails and the wellness seminars will be open to both students and the general public.

Belhaven University President, Dr. Roger Parrott, noted that the gift from the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation caps off a multi-year effort.

“Three years ago we began an aggressive initiative to help our students develop healthy lifestyles. This gift from Blue Cross dramatically advances this effort by helping our students develop life-long exercise patterns. I’m especially thrilled we can invite our neighbors to use these walking trails and offer to them healthy living educational experience. We have a very special relationship with our neighbors, and I look forward to seeing neighbors coming to our campus to use these new walking trails.”

“The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation is focused on providing resources and funding to continue our commitment to a healthier Mississippi. We are excited about the health and wellness initiatives being implemented at Belhaven University that will foster a healthy environment for the university and surrounding community,” said Sheila Grogan, Executive Director of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation.

Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation Director, Virgi Lindsay also welcomed the partnership. “This announcement is wonderful news for the residents of Belhaven and will only add to the vibrant community activities found in the neighborhood. We are excited that this project will not only benefit the University but will greatly enhance the Neighborhood as a whole.”

The Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation serves as a catalyst for programs and initiatives designed to improve the health of Mississippians. More information about the Foundation is available at www.healthiermississippi.org.

Source: http://www.belhaven.edu/news/articles/Blue-Cross-Blue-Shield-Finalizes-Walking-Trails-2010-09-21.htm