Senior Class Gift totals over $24,000

The 2012 Senior Class Gift campaign, which provides financial aid to the incoming freshman class, raised over $24,000 through student contributions with 80 percent of seniors participating, according to the Senior Class Gift interns. The sum is largely due to the more than 200 "leadership gifts," which are donations of $50 or more, Senior Class Gift intern Rachel Siegel '12 said. "We're pushing the $50 dollar gift, which comes with a professional padfolio' from the 1769 Society, and then we're pushing the $20.12 gift for class unity," Siegel said. "In the past, the push has been for participation like everyone gives one dollar. This year we're going for the total dollar amount." A leadership gift also entered the donor into the 1769 Society, which gives them an invitation to return during Homecoming for a reception to meet the Class of 2016 scholars they supported, according to senior class gift intern Perry Bradford '12. A matching program organized by the Class of 1962 gives students another incentive to donate generously, Siegel said. The "Dollar-for-Dollar and Scholar-for-Scholar" challenge ensures that every donation has three times the impact. "For every dollar that is donated by a '12, the Class of 1962 matches that, and then for every scholar that we endow, which is $1,000 dollars [in aid], the Class of 1962 matches that again," she said. "So basically $1,000 dollars becomes $3,000." The 2012 Senior Class Gift campaign raised $72,697 to support 72 scholars in the Class of 2016, and achieved an 80 percent participation rate, which is slightly less than previous years, in which 80 to 99 percent of seniors donated, Bradford said. This year's endeavor had 85 volunteers, which exceeded that of campaigns in recent years, Siegel said. "People are just really enthusiastic about Dartmouth, and that's really great to see we have a greater depth of involvement than ever before, "she said. The purpose of the Senior Class Gift is to educate the senior class on the importance of philanthropy, Bradford said. "I think it's important because everyone's experience at Dartmouth may not be perfect, but in different ways we've all gained something out of being at this institution," she said. "Whether it's growing into your personal character, getting a job or networking, everyone has something that they can take away from this experience. I think it's showing that you care about the students who cannot necessarily get here on their own without the support of financial aid." Siegel said that the gift is a gesture of senior class unity, in addition to a source of financial aid for the incoming class. "First and foremost it's your first chance to give back to the institution of Dartmouth and to say thank you for everything that this college has been to you and given you," she said. "It's a great way to reflect on your Dartmouth experience to take the time to have that introspective moment about what you've gained and what it means to you." The Senior Class Gift also helps to form and maintain a strong alumni connection and network, Siegel said. "I think more so than most other colleges, Dartmouth inspires a passion in its former students for the institution that you really don't see anywhere else," Siegel said. "I thought that was definitely something that I wanted to be a part of, in helping members of the '12 class achieve that." Bradford also said that the Senior Class Gift helps strengthen young graduates' connection to Dartmouth. "To me it's not necessarily just about the money," she said. "It's more about showing the incoming class what the Dartmouth family is. It's about supporting and giving the experience back to them, regardless if they do service work or whatever it may be. It's allowing them to come here and grow."