The Class of 2006 has even more cause to celebrate as they prepare for Commencement on Saturday, May 13: For the first time in the College's history, graduating seniors ended their time here with 100 percent participation in the Senior Class Gift Campaign.
"Combined with the motivation of the Parent's Board's $10,000 overall matching challenge for both participation and dollars, our senior's provided an excellent show of appreciation and support for the campus," said Andrew Carrillo, assistant director of annual giving. "The seniors increased the campaign statistics in participation, average gift, and total dollars beyond any previous CMC class on record."
Total dollars raised by the College's 263 seniors was $5,251.29, with the average gift falling just under $20. Gifts of $25 and more numbered 109.
Parents on the Parents Board challenged the senior gift-raising with a $10,000 two-pronged proposal bringing the final, total dollars attributed to the '06 Senior Gift to $15, 251. 29. The first challenge offered $5,000 to match gifts of $25 and above, plus $10 per donor, until a total of $5,000 was achieved by the seniors. Secondly, parents promised another $5,000 on the condition that the Class of 2006 reach a 100 participation rate, as it did.
"A big thank-you must go out to these devoted parents, whose motivation and generosity was the catalyst for our success," Carrillo said. As well, he says, Senior Class Gift Committee co-chairs Emerald Berg, Ben Hunsaker, and Evan Rutter worked "tirelessly on this project, committing many hours to the campaign, from the inception of our kickoff to the very last minute of the deadline.
"It was these three," Carrillo says, "who took the reigns over our devoted Senior Class Gift Committee and helped guide us to this record-breaking achievement."