Having recently completed her doctoral degree from the University of Kentucky College of Education, Mary Ransdell celebrated her achievement in grand style – she carried the Olympic torch.

In preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, the traditional cross-country Olympic torch relay passed through downtown Lexington during midday on Monday, December 17, 2001. Amid overcast skies and a constant drizzle approximately 45 runners, including Ransdell, participated in the relay. Ransdell’s leg of the journey was along Limestone Street between Washington Avenue and Administration Drive.

Despite the weather conditions, hundreds of people gathered on sidewalks along the route to witness the relay. Ransdell walked her two-tenths of a mile, carrying the gas torch aloft and transferring the flame to another runner waiting at Administration Drive.

Mary Ransdell with Olympic torch

"I have to say, it was a great feeling to know that at one moment I was the only one in the world responsible for the Olympic flame. People were standing along the route applauding and cheering, but all I could think about was making sure to walk straight and hold onto the torch," Ransdell said.

After her part of the relay was completed, strangers approached and congratulated her. A family Ransdell had never met asked if she would pose with them for a picture. A contingent of the College of Education staff greeted Ransdell with hugs and well wishes.

Susan Leathers, Ransdell’s sister, nominated Mary for the relay through a Web site sponsored by the Coca-Cola company. When her sister informed her of the nomination, Ransdell didn’t believe she would ever be chosen. But to her surprise, a package arrived last June containing a letter of congratulations and an instruction book.

"It was still kind of hard to believe. I remember just thinking, ‘Okay, this is really going to happen,’ " she said.

Later came a running suit, hat, gloves and a schedule. Because she was earned her spot on the relay through the Coca-Cola Web site, the company also paid for the torch that she carried for her leg of the tour.

"It was a bit humbling, really, to be part of this. Among the relay participants there was a woman who survived a double lung transplant and a young man who had started a foundation for children with cancer. So many people were there who had accomplished these heroic things – and then there was me," Ransdell said.

However, there was a time in Ransdell’s life when she was a widow with a five-year-old child to raise and a dream to pursue a masters degree and, eventually, a doctorate. Her daughter, soon to be taking on work as an air traffic controller for one of the busiest sections of air space in the United States, clearly is inspired by her mother’s determination to achieve academic and career goals. In terms of her accomplishments, it seems Ransdell fit in well with those honored to carry the Olympic torch.