After three weeks on the road covering nearly 9,500 miles, the Miracle Riders returned to Columbus on Friday, May 22, after traveling through 17 states to raise awareness and funds for the Columbus State University College of Education & Health Professions.

The group of 14 riders arrived in downtown Columbus to cheers from university and community supporters. After greetings from Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson and remarks by CSU President Stuart Rayfield, the Miracle Riders presented a ceremonial check for $172,907—covering individual donations and business and corporate sponsorships. Supporting this year’s effort was a fully funded, anonymous challenge matching gift of $50,000 during the final week of the ride.

These funds will establish an endowment to maintain and upgrade the three School of Nursing simulation labs that the Miracle Riders have created since 2021, when they made a $1 million, multi-year fundraising commitment to the university. They fulfilled that pledge in 2025 after establishing three specialized clinical simulation labs to train Columbus State’s nursing students: a pediatric simulation lab, a mother-baby simulation lab, and a NICU simulation lab. The labs enable nursing students to develop their skills alongside practicing nurses, first responders, and others who provide direct medical care to infants, children, and expectant mothers.

“This group of guys is the most amazing group of men that I’ve ever had a chance to spend time with,” Rayfield said. “We’re all so grateful and thankful for all the work you do. The sacrifices you make, and the sacrifices your families and loved ones make while you are gone for three weeks, are just so inspiring to each of us.

This year’s ride kept with last year’s Pony Express theme. Riders delivered personal greetings across the U.S. and regionally from family and friends, capturing the same spirit as the horseback messengers of the Old West.

“One of the Miracle Riders’ stops included presenting a scholarship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Columbus State Family Nurse Practitioner graduate student Matt McUmber (pictured, center, with Ressmeyer, left, and Rayfield, right). The scholarship was given in honor of Ressmeyer’s 67th birthday.

The Miracle Riders will continue accepting donations for the 2026 ride through June 30 via the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley. Donations received after that date will be credited toward the 2027 ride.