2008 Senior Gift Campaign Exceeds 75% Participation
by Sara Bryant '08The Class of 2008 came one step closer to achieving their ultimate goal of 100 percent class participation in their Senior Gift Campaign for the Class of 2008 Environmental Endowment Fund. Thanks to the continued and dedicated work of the 2008 Senior Gift Committee, the class exceeded the 75% participation Trustee challenge deadline and earned an additional $2,500 in challenge money for their gift.
Seniors celebrated their collective successes with members of the Board of Trustees at a champagne toast reception in the Bristol Hub. Stuart Scott '61, chairman of the Board, feted the class for their achievements both in and out of the classroom during their time on the Hill.
The Class of 2008 Environmental Endowment Fund will provide support for projects, undertaken by campus clubs and student organizations that focus on environmental and sustainability initiatives. Over 340 members of the Senior Class have made a gift to the Campaign so far, which follows in the great Hamilton tradition of senior giving. For the past 15 years, every senior class has exceeded 90% participation, and the Class of 2007 set the all-time record with 97.6%.
"The high level of participation is a tremendous marker of pride for our class," remarked Ned Gilliss '08, senior gift co-chair along with Blythe Winchester '08. "Our committee has rallied together on this important project for Hamilton and we're especially grateful to everyone who has given so far. The next participation challenge is to achieve 90% participation by April 18, which will trigger an additional $4,500 in Trustee Challenge Funds."
Every senior who makes a gift receives a commemorative pint glass and Hamilton calendar as a "thank you" from the Office of Annual Giving. Additionally, the senior gift committee is organizing a tree planting for seniors and their parents around Saturday of graduation weekend to celebrate the success of the campaign.
Members of the Hamilton Community interested in giving to the Class of 2008 Environmental Endowment Fund should contact Associate Director of Annual Giving Dave Steadman '03 at x4898 or dsteadma@hamilton.edu. Additional information and an application for the Class of 2009 Senior Gift Committee and Co-Chair position is available online: http://www.hamilton.edu/alumni/StudentEngagement/2008seniorgift.html.