August 20, 2021
Contact: Stephanie Fleming, 573-882-8353, sfleming@missouri.edu
Instead of standing up to cancer, fraternity members of Alpha Epsilon Pi at the University of Missouri stage a sit in. In fact, they sit for 63 hours.
From 7 a.m. April 15 to 10 p.m. April 17, an elected upperclassman sat in a rocking chair for 63 hours straight on a stage in downtown Columbia while other members were dispersed around town and MU’s campus to collect donations. This year, senior Brian Carter, took the stage.
Since 1969, the MU chapter of AEPi has put on its Rock-A-Thon philanthropy every other April to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
“Everyone has been affected by cancer in one way or another,” Rock-A-Thon co-chairman Evan Mack said. “I love being a part of something so big that touches so many people.”
Mack, who graduated from MU in 2021, said his own dad was diagnosed with cancer the week of Rock-A-Thon during his freshman year.
“It definitely made the weekend a lot more meaningful for me,” Mack said. “It was definitely an extra push and motivation.”
This year, the fraternity raised more than $180,000, topping previous years’ totals. In its 52-year history, the fraternity has raised over a combined $1 million with fundraising totals of $110,000 in 2019 and $102,000 in 2017. The money is raised through donations on the website, canning and events like a formal philanthropy dinner before the main event and a golf tournament, which took place March 14 this year.
AEPi members Jacob Resnick, Noah Prelutsky, Brian Carter and Evan Mack pose with MU football coach Eli Drinkwitz.
“They were still able to find new ways to raise money safely and hold the event safely this year,” said Jon Pierce, AEPi National Headquarters spokesperson and past international president. “It’s a perfect example of leadership and how our gentlemen are meeting our mission even in a pandemic.”
Mack said he thinks people are more willing to help due to the pandemic. “We stepped back and said it wasn’t about the number,” Mack said. “Whatever happens, happens, and it’s still going to make a difference.”
Kathryn O’Hagan, assistant director of MU Greek Life and interim IFC advisor, said the AEPi co-chairs were proactive in making sure all safety measures and COVID-19 guidelines were met.
“The history of this event is strong, and every year they keep moving the goal post on themselves,” O’Hagan said.
Rock-A-Thon is one of the largest single chapter philanthropies in the U.S. Learn more about the Rock-A-Thon philanthropy at https://mizzourockathon.com/.
