NASHVILLE - When Ruth Mick was a little girl her mother often encouraged her to go out and play in the dirt.
That fascination with the soil led to her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science which was awarded May 6. But as Mick got older she discovered she liked running on dirt as well, excelling in both cross country and distance running in track.
"I've always loved running," said Mick. "When I was in middle school I played softball and soccer, but the most fun for me was running the bases or running up and down the field in soccer. I couldn't really coordinate my hands, my feet and the equipment. I just liked running around.