Skip to content

COVID-19: Piedmont Together—Living and Learning During the Pandemic

Learn more
Piedmont University
  • Academics
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Giving
  • Athletics

Piedmont News

  1. Home
  2. 2023
  3. February
  4. 16
  5. Piedmont Students Learn About the U.S. — and Life — During Everglades Bike Trip
  • Events
Back to news
Related Stories
  • Piedmont University Business Grad Starts Career as an Auditor — And Much More is to Come

    Last month, Piedmont University Walker College of Business alumna Brittany Latham started a new job

    Keep Reading
  • Two Strikes Put Waller in Higher Education

    This series spotlights the people who educate Piedmont University students. We ask them about their

    Keep Reading
Contact Newsroom
Marketing & Communications
Phone: 706-778-8500 x1152
Email: rpleasant@piedmont.edu News Archive
Feb 16, 2023
/ Article ,Business College ,Featured ,News

Piedmont Students Learn About the U.S. — and Life — During Everglades Bike Trip

From left, Hannah Kunze, Hannah Willems, and the Rev. Tim Garvin-Leighton.

Piedmont University students Hannah Kunze and Hannah Willems have just returned from a trip they’ll never forget — a 56-mile cycling trek through the Florida Everglades.

Kunze and Willems both hail from Germany and both have an interest in cycling, as does the Rev. Tim Garvin-Leighton, Piedmont’s campus minister.

Garvin-Leighton, who’s participated in cycling events across the United States, had his sights set on Gravel Miami as his next competition. As the event approached, he saw the chance to turn it into an educational excursion for Kunze and Willems, both avid cyclists as well; Kunze is a member of Piedmont's cycling team.

“When we were leaving Demorest, we put Miami into the GPS, and it said it was 750 or so miles away. They took a picture of the map and sent it to their families in Germany,” Garvin-Leighton said.

“If they drove that far in Germany, they’d be in Italy, but here, they were just going from Georgia to Florida. This trip gave them the chance to see more of the United States and to see a very unique ecosystem up close while doing what they love — cycling.”

Garvin-Leighton, Willems, and Kunze, who proudly wore Piedmont gear while participating in Gravel Miami, each completed the event’s 56-mile course. Unfortunately, they didn’t see any alligators during their ride, but will remember the trip for years to come, nonetheless.

“The most important thing that I learned during this trip is that even though something may seem impossible for you, that doesn´t mean you cannot do it. With the right motivation you can do almost everything,” Willems said.

“It is important to have people in your life who help you when you need it. Teamwork is everything, and sometimes you need someone else to convince you about your own ability. Rev. Tim and Hannah K. believed in me when I didn’t, and in the end, they were right.”

Share This Story
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Previous Article
Next Article
Piedmont University
Contact
  • P.O. Box 10 | 1021 Central Avenue
    Demorest, Georgia | 30535
  • Phone: 1-800-277-7020
  • E-Mail: info@piedmont.edu
Helpful Links
  • Self-Service
  • PilgrimNet
  • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Campus Safety
  • Library
  • Information Technology
  • Payments
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Title IX/Legal Disclosures
  • Consumer Disclosures
  • Accessibility
  • Employment
  • Cigna Transparency in Coverage
  • Academics
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Giving
  • Athletics
  • About Piedmont
    • Celebrating 125 Years
    • Our History
    • Vision, Mission & Values
    • Leadership
    • Rankings, Recognitions, and Alumni Outcomes
    • Faculty & Staff Directory
  • Academics
    • Academic Catalog
    • Piedmont Promise
    • College of Arts & Sciences
    • College of Education
    • College of Nursing & Health Sciences
    • Walker College of Business
    • Online Programs
    • Library
    • The Fine Arts at Piedmont
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Apply
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Financial Aid
    • Request Information
    • Accepted Students
    • Tuition & Fees
    • Student Accounts
    • Piedmont University Viewbook
    • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Campus Life
    • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
    • Residence Life
    • Student Support Services
  • Resources
  • Info For…
    • Future Students
    • Current Students
    • Alumni & Friends
  • Piedmont News
  • Piedmont Events
  • Academics
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Giving
  • Athletics