Here’s to Northern Star reporter Megan Rodriguez for her insightful article, “Healthier students opt for stroll across campus.” Walking is the way of life on college campuses across America, and this author has done a wonderful job of presenting the advantages such exercise provides.

Apparently, chemicals released by the brain during periods of exercise can increase energy, reduce anxiety, improve concentration and alertness and enable people to handle stress better. As health education professor Sally Conklin astutely points out in the article, a mere 30 minutes of walking per day is sufficient to achieve this healthier lifestyle.

It is also worth pointing out that increased walking on the part of students, as well as by university staff members, can enhance our campus lifestyle and environment in general. More pedestrians and bikers and less vehicles has a positive impact on air quality and general cleanliness across campus. And it goes without saying that minimizing interaction between pedestrians/bikers and vehicles greatly enhances the ability of everyone to traverse campus in a manner that is pleasant and safe.

So again, I thank Ms. Rodriguez for enlightening us as to the many advantages of a mode of transportation that has stood the test of time – the good old-fashioned walk. Let us hope that we take the advice seriously.

Norm Jenkins

Assistant director, Holmes Student Center