Kathleen Pearson

Rider graduate student Kathleen Pearson of Brick has excelled at her studies at Rider as a master's degree candidate in human services administration. She also has excelled off campus at the American Red Cross, receiving last year an Unsung Hero Award from The Russ Berrie Foundation.

Christmas Eve of 2003, Pearson, while driving to work, spotted a van that flipped over on Route 527 in Jackson. She opened the airway of a pregnant woman who was not breathing and resuscitated her five-year-old son. One other sibling, a seven-year old, did not survive. Pearson did not tell anyone about what happened until the woman wrote the Red Cross about a person who helped her family in their time of need.

Pearson's professor, Dr. Marcia B. Steinhauer, associate professor of graduate education, just happened to find out about the incident while in conversation with Pearson about something far removed from the subject matter. In a conversation about taxes, Pearson mentioned the ramifications of tax deductions regarding her award. "What award?," asked Steinhauer. "It was funny how I happened to find out about this in passing conversation," she added. "Kathleen never said a word about this before hand." Impressed by Pearson's character and professionalism, Steinhauer wanted to share her student's achievement with the greater campus community.

Pearson does not seek special attention or recognition. "I am not a professional rescuer, I do not belong to a first aid squad," said Pearson, who serves as director of health and safety services at the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey. "I purely believe in walking the talk. Although I have taught thousands of people - including some at Rider - such lifesaving skills as CPR, First Aid and life guarding, it means nothing unless those skills are put to use."

Pearson graduates from Rider this summer.

The American Red Cross, Penn-Jersey Region, will hold an emergency blood drive (in connection with Boy Scout Troup 28) on Saturday, August 27 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge of the Bart Luedeke Center. For more information, call (609) 716-8048.

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