Campus & Community

SU senior class making its mark: 2010 Senior Class Giving Campaign exceeds 140 donors and $11,000

Tuesday, May 18, 2010, By Veronica Hotaling

Syracuse University seniors had more than their hard-earned diploma to be proud of over Commencement Weekend 2010. Following in the footsteps of the Class of 2009, this year’s class added leaving a legacy to their list of must-dos before ending their time on campus. As of May 18, 2010, 144 donors have supported the “Be a Class Act” campaign, raising $11,586.

With their gifts, seniors have supported any number of SU programs, but more important than the dollar amount raised is the deep connection to SU these gifts represent. Together, the students are supporting nearly every school, the SU Library, SU Abroad, WAER, Hendricks Chapel and SU Athletics, as well as the University as a whole through The Fund for Syracuse. To see all the ways students have chosen to support SU, view the latest list of donors in the Senior Class Honor Roll.

Joe Barone ’10 wears his “I’m A Class Act”
pin with pride.

Otto hands his gift to campaign co-chair
Muss Akram ’10 at the Grad Fair on March 24.

In giving, seniors have shown that they want to provide future students with many of the same experiences they’ve had at SU. “Syracuse University has given me so much over the past four years in academics, friendships and life-learning moments,” says Maegan Welch ’10, commenting on her reasons for giving. “This small gift is the least I can do after all that.” Numerous comments from seniors can be read on the Your Feedback page. Students marked their participation in the fundraising effort by wearing official “I’m a Class Act” pins.

As of May 18, 2010, the campaign statistics report:

  • 117 gifts have been from seniors and 27 from parents and friends giving in honor of class members.
  • The dollars raised total $11,586.80.
  • The most gifts—27—have gone to funds within the College of Human Ecology. Other big recipients are The Fund for Syracuse (annual fund) with 19 gifts, the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science with 13, SU Abroad with 13, the Whitman School with 11, SU Library with eight, and the School of Education with eight.
  • Gifts from seniors range in amount from $5 to $500.

“This year’s seniors have a lot to be proud of. Our core student leadership committee, including campaign co-chairs Carlye Eder and Muss Akram, were totally committed to this effort,” says Tammy Schlafer, SU executive director of annual giving. “They demonstrated a sincere passion for making a difference at SU and have set the stage for next year’s class to do the same. We congratulate them all!” 

The 2010 Senior Class Giving campaign officially closes on June 30, 2010. Class members can still give online at classact.syr.edu. Parents and friends are also encouraged to make a gift online in honor of a special graduate.