For a group of 27 Elon University seniors, giving back to the university has taken priority over taking a dip in one of the fountains or stealing a brick before walking Under the Oaks one last time this spring.
The Senior Giving Campaign, expected to be the largest on record, has been spreading the word about making donations to the university and giving back to the community they say has given them the ideal college experience.
Senior Allison Fox, committee chair, said the initiative is off to a promising start.
“We’re doing great,” Fox said, “We have 59 donations but for just being a month in or so and just launching the campaign, I think its great.”
Reaching that amount of participants is no easy task. Between looking for a job, applying to graduate schools and trying to enjoy their last year as Elon students, the senior class has a lot going on. Giving extra money to the university on top of tuition isn’t always at the top of the list.
Fox said the key to getting her classmates to participate is all about explaining what the money is going toward: The recommended donation of $20.15, the cost of roughly 10 cups of coffee, will help build a strong foundation for Elon’s future.
“I think it’s really important for an institution to have a strong alumni support in order to grow, get new buildings and stay on the radar as a credible university,” she said.
Since its inception, the Senior Giving Campaign has grown; last year’s participation was 41 percent, a record that this year’s seniors are attempting to surpass. Senior George Riter, student relations vice-chair, got involved when he saw how the university’s finances were broken down.
“It’s amazing to find out that tuition doesn’t cover all the school’s expenses, and it’s important for alumni to give back to make sure that their old school will continue to thrive,” Riter said.
As for this round of donations, Riter said students have the freedom to funnel their money to the their favorite department or club.
“You can donate to your favorite department, club, organization or Elon’s biggest need, to name a few,” he said. “Additionally, I think it’s important to talk to seniors early in the year, that way they can see all their money can do, and also allow them to budget effectively.”
Those interested in donating can log into the Elon website and find the page (www.elon.edu/e-web/advancement/senior-gift/) or simply contact any members on the campaign’s committee. In upcoming weeks, the campaign will also have a booth set up at College Coffee and is in the process of planning more events.