Source: Sarah Buchanon, 785-532-6541, buchs@k-state.edu
Web site: http://www/k-state.edu/hd
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

K-STATE'S WILD WELLNESS WEEK TO FEATURE PARALYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST AND A COMEDIAN

MANHATTAN -- Inspiring words from Paralympic gold medalist Kevin Saunders and wisecracks about finance from comedian Tim Clue will highlight Kansas State University's first Wild Wellness Week, March 29-April 2.

Clue will offer an interactive comedy act that will hit on the financial issues people face today. His performance will be at 7 p.m. Monday, March 29, in the K-State Student Union's Forum Hall. Clue is a stand-up comedian who also has college-level teaching experience. He has appeared on Comedy Central and opened for comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Steven Wright.

Saunders will discuss goal-setting and accomplishing great things in the face of adversity at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, in the Union's Main Ballroom. Saunders is a 1978 graduate of K-State and is a world-champion wheelchair athlete. He was the first Paralympian appointed to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, having served under two administrations.

Wild Wellness Week is organized by K-State Healthy Decisions, an initiative aimed at improving the overall health and success of K-State students.

Sarah Buchanan, coordinator of Healthy Decisions, said the week will highlight the importance of physical, mental and fiscal health for K-State students.

"It's easy to get overwhelmed or focused on one area of life and forget about the others; for example, forgetting to take time to refresh your mind and body," she said. "Promoting an entire week of wellness will help highlight each area where wellness is critical, and provide activities and information about services or groups on campus that can help."

Other activities planned as part of Wild Wellness Week include:

* Meditation and free massages from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 31 in the Union's Cat's Pause Lounge. Noontime yoga also will be from noon to 1 p.m. in the Union's West Ballroom.

* Last minute help on taxes and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, April 1, Union courtyard. Also in the courtyard at 11 a.m. will be a money booth until prizes run out. A free financial workshop is scheduled for 4 p.m. in the Union's Staterooms 1 and 2. The first 50 people will receive free food.

A full listing of activities is available at http://ow.ly/1nPMO