Welcome to Autism SpeaksU

 
Autism SpeaksU is an initiative of Autism Speaks focused on engaging the young philanthropists of the world and ultimately connecting college students with the autism community.  The team at Autism SpeaksU guides students on college campuses across America through the process of organizing and coordinating fundraising events on their campus to benefit Autism Speaks.  With your support, we can unite college communities across the nation into a single, powerful voice for the autism community.  Together, we can build awareness about autism and raise critical funds in the fight against this complex disorder.   

During the 2008-2009 school year, Autism SpeaksU will proudly host events at the University of Maryland-College Park, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and Penn State University-University Park.

Where next? Contact us to find out how U can get involved. 

A Nation of Universities. One Fight Song!


Recent News:
*For all media coverage please click on the media tab at the top right of the page.

PSU - 4/4/2009
UCONN - 4/4/2009
UMD - 4/18/2009
UMASS - 5/3/2009

 
4th Annual “We Are…Curing Autism Now” Event at Penn State Raises More Than $100,000

STATE COLLEGE, PA - On April 4, 2009 Beta Sigma Beta Fraternity, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, and Sigma Delta Tau Sorority hosted the 4th annual “We Are…Curing Autism Now 5K Race/3K Walk” Penn State. This year’s event welcomed over 1200 participants, and raised over $100,000 for Autism Speaks. Since 2006, the event has brought in more than $550,000. In the weeks preceding the event, the organizing committee captured the community’s attention about this worthy cause. Through a media partnership with Magnum Broadcasting, hundreds of radio commercials aired advertisements for the event to the local community. Steve Jones, the radio voice of Penn State athletics and Drew Shannon of 105.9JoeFM served as the Masters of Ceremony for the event. Also in attendance as Celebrity Grand Marshal was Steve Smear, captain of the 1968 Penn State football team. Smear has an autistic son and continues to support the Autism SpeaksU efforts at Penn State. 

      


"Tau Kappa Epsilon Autism SpeaksU 5K Race/3K Walk” Event at UConn a Success

STORRS, CT – On April 4, 2009 Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity led its 4th annual 5K Race/3K Walk to benefit Autism Speaks. The event welcomed members of the campus and the surrounding community and raised more than $3,000.


“Fear the Turtle, Find a Cure” Event Brings Out the Stars in Support of Autism SpeaksU at University of Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, MD – Bright and early on the morning of April 18th, 2009 over 400 University of Maryland students and members of the community took to the field outside the Comcast Center arena to pound the pavement in the 1st annual “Fear the Turtle, Find a Cure Autism SpeaksU 5K Race/3K Walk” benefiting Autism Speaks.  Maryland's men’s basketball coach Gary Williams served as Grand Marshal of this inaugural event, which was emceed by the Voice of the Terrapins, Johnny Holliday.  The runners and walkers raised over $23,000 for Autism Speaks.

      

“U Were, U Are, U Speak Autism SpeaksU” UMass Event Raises More Than $23,000

AMHERST, MA  – On May 3, 2009 over 250 University of Massachusetts students and members of the community took to a lakeside field on campus to walk and race as part of the 1st annual “U Were, U Are, U Speak Autism SpeaksU 5K Race/3K Walk” benefiting Autism Speaks.  The event was coordinated by Sigma Delta Tau Sorority and Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.  The runners and walkers raised over $23,000 for Autism Speaks making the event the largest student-run philanthropic event on campus.  Lazer 99.3FM provided entertainment as participants gathered prior to the event and the University of Massachusetts cheerleaders led the walk.