"100 DAYS TILL GRADUATION" DRAWS ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD
AND SUPPORT FOR SENIOR CLASS GIFT FUND
 |
| The Class of 2009 gathered in the HUB to celebrate "100 Days till Graduation" on February 5. A silent auction was one of the highlights of the event, which helped instill a tradition of giving among members of the graduating class. |
Moravian seniors have begun the graduation countdown, celebrating the occasion with a "100 Days till Graduation" event in the HUB, February 5. About 150 enthusiastic seniors (more than half the class) flooded the building. The celebration began with a Senior Silent Auction, featuring popular prize items such as gift certificates to TC Salon and Spa, gift certificates to local restaurants, and (at the top of the list) lunch with President Thomforde and Julie DelGiorno.
To participate in the auction, students had to complete at least one of three tasks: taking a Senior Survey; registering for MOCOnnection (Moravian's online alumni community); and making a pledge or gift to the Senior Class Gift fund. For the first time ever, all three tasks could be completed online.
In addition to kicking off the senior semester, the graduation countdown event encourages a tradition of giving, as students become alumni. The message for college seniors is that while the gift's dollar amount is significant, class participation rate is what truly counts. This year, a majority of the Senior Gift will go to The Class of 1999 Scholarship Fund, which was awarded to a deserving senior for the first time last fall.
"We're off to a great start toward reaching our 50 percent participation goal," noted Jackie Jones, director of the Moravian Fund. "And the feedback from students has been positive—they had a wonderful time."
A senior gift can be made at any time through the end of the 2008-09 fiscal year, June 30, 2009. Last year, the Class of 2008 managed to achieve a record-setting 46 percent participation. The Class of 2009 hopes to surpass that level, setting a new standard for future classes to match. —Caitlyn Fischer '10