Record-Breaking Senior Class Gift Leaves High Expectations for 2010

By: Brittany Lane

Posted: 8/26/09

What began with a slow initial level of support culminated in a booming success. The Class of 2009 concluded the year with 76% class participation in their yearlong campaign, breaking the former record, set in 2001, by 3%. Seniors dedicated over $156,000 in gifts and pledges for the College this past academic year.

Beginning in the fall, each senior class works with the College's Development Office to encourage seniors to participate in this program, which deepens the tradition of giving back to the College. A committee of seniors, led by the Senior Class officers, runs the program, brainstorming and organizing events and fundraisers, such as the popular Wine & Cheese event. Publicity for the program remains the foremost goal all year. Seniors have the choice to make a monetary donation or future pledge to any program or department of their choice.

Donations support a variety of programs, such as scholarship funds for students, sports teams, campus organizations, faculty research funds, and campus facilities. The vital support from these eventual alums helps attract and support top-notch students and accomplished faculty. Furthermore, the commitment to the program propels the maintenance and construction of the College's facilities, such as Swem Library, the Integrated Science Center, and the newly completed Mason School of Business's Alan B. Miller Hall.

In the beginning of last year, some expressed concern that support was too low. The Informer reported that participation by early spring was well below expectations. However, Kevin Dua, former Class of 2009 president, maintains that "every Senior Class Gift experiences a common trend of an early good start, sluggish middle and then a final push." While the economy prompted many to fear an unsuccessful campaign, students seized the vision of giving back and erased any worries by year's end.

"We wanted to encourage our seniors and ultimately make a strong statement to the College that the Class of 2009 was thankful for the education received and would continue in some way to give back," said Mr. Dua. Grateful students, a dedicated committee, and a little luck were the key ingredients to a successful Senior Class Gift.

At the end of last year, the Class of 2009 received an engraved cipher representing the percentage of those who donated or pledged support on a stone on the Senior Walk. This path is located outside of Tucker Hall.

Mr. Dua stated that he and the Senior Class Gift committee sought to achieve 80% participation with $100,000 in future pledges. While class involvement fell just short of that goal, the broken record still attests to the drive of students at the College of William and Mary. Senior Class President Alyssa Wallace ('10) believes that "the momentum that last year created, especially at the end, is going to carry over," and propel the efforts of the upcoming year. "We certainly have big shoes to fill," said Wallace.

The underlying mission of the Senior Class Gift rests on the notion that graduates hope that younger students and future members of the Tribe will experience the same benefits they received during their journey at the College. In the end, the goal relies on the seniors to fulfill their pledges and continue to support what they loved about their unique experiences at the College.