BUTLER TWP — Nick Neupauer, Butler County Community College president, will face a long walk because of a successful fundraiser.

Neupauer pledged to walk from Slippery Rock, his hometown, to the Butler Township campus if the annual campaign raised $25,000 by today.

The college announced Thursday the campaign hit $30,000. Because of that, Neupauer's 17-mile walk to work is scheduled for Nov. 9.

The annual campaign kicked off Aug. 20 and by mid-September contributions totaled $12,500. That's when Neupauer announced that if the total was doubled by the end of October, he would have a "Walk for Our Students."

The annual campaign helps funds scholarships, program equipment and updated technology in classrooms.

Neupauer has been training for the walk, which will begin at 8 a.m. at the Old Stone House, he said in a statement. It is what Neupauer called the longest walk of his life.

Pat Massaro, director of campus safety, has mapped out the safest route for the president, and campus officer Mike Pearson will follow on a bicycle. Because of traffic, Neupauer will be driven past the Clearview Mall and the Picklegate Bridge.

It is expected the walk will take five hours.

The college is asking businesses along the route to put encouraging messages on their marquees.

Friends of the college and donors are invited to greet Neupauer at the main entrance of BC3 at 1 p.m. and walk with him on College Drive into the campus.

The BC3 Annual Campaign continues through June 30, 2010. This year's goal is $50,000.