University of Dayton college professor Peter Titlebaum, UD retired technologist Dwight Matlock and VP of Frutarom Moshe Bar-gil are setting out on an epic journey June 1. They will depart from the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati and bike for a week, covering 615 miles, ending at the Freedom Rides Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. It’s a daunting challenge, but Peter, who is a professor of health and sport science at UD, has an inspiring way to reframe it.
“We don’t have to go 615 miles,” he says. “We have to go 1 mile, and then do that 615 times. It’s all about small steps.”
Peter teaches sports management, fundraising and marketing classes at UD and has lived here in Mason for nine years. He was inspired to create this challenge after a long history of combining his passion for charity work with cycling events.
He hopes to educate and inspire students to care about their future goals; he works through the University of Dayton’s Institute for Applied Creativity for Transformation and has developed a program on living one’s legacy. He will share his interactive lesson when stopping at Boys and Girls Clubs along the cycling route to connect with the youth.
“I give a list of inspirational quotes and ask them to pick one quote that resonates with them,” Peter says. “From that quote, they discuss with those around them. Then they answer questions like ‘How will you live a life based on that quote?’ ‘What will it look like?’ creating a visualization of the quote.”
The lesson helps young people dream big about their legacy and think practically about the next step to achieve that vision.
The cycling group hopes to raise $100,000 through their ride, which will be evenly split among a scholarship at UD’s IACT and donations to the Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Freedom Rides Museum.
“These charities were chosen because they are good causes that need to continue,” he says.
The ride may bring unexpected hurdles, but it’s part of Peter’s personality to push himself and his colleagues this way.
“I strive to always aim for that next experience, even the one that scares me a little,” he says.
To donate to the Ride 4 Freedom Legacy Tour or follow along on the journey, visit Ride4FreedomTour.com or find them on Facebook @Ride4FreedomLegacyTour.