Senior Challenge Campaign Begins This Week

For the Class of 2010, the next few months will be spent on building resumés, applying for graduate school, and trying to make it through the last semester of classes. After graduation, joining The Long Blue Line will be the first transition into becoming alumni of Marietta College.  Then the question is, what do I do next?

Marietta College alumni have been helping change the campus for almost 175 years, from volunteering their time and talents to monetary donations.  These annual alumni donations to the Marietta Fund help support the day-to-day expenses of the College, such as supplies for CUB and other student organizations, athletic equipment and uniforms, and funding for special activities like Doo Dah Day, just to name a few. In addition, the Marietta Fund bridges the gap between student tuition and the actual cost of a Marietta College education.  Currently that gap is nearing $7,000 per student each year.

Beginning in 1997 The Senior Challenge was created to begin the initiative for soon-to-be alumni to make their first gift to the College.  This year, once again, the Marietta College Alumni Association (MCAA) Board of Directors has agreed to match the total raised by the senior class dollar-for-dollar, which will make each senior’s gift worth twice as much!   A check for the total Class of 2010 gift will be presented to President Scott during commencement exercises in May.

This year’s Senior Challenge theme “175 Years – A Little Change Can Go a Long Way,” was inspired by Marietta College’s 175th Anniversary.  It is through the support of alumni that Marietta College has been able to grow and flourish throughout the years.  These changes can be readily noted in the photographs displayed around campus.  For this year’s theme “change” has a double meaning.  Seniors will be given their own piggy bank, where they will be able to collect and save their loose change.  Throughout the semester there will be opportunities to empty the piggy banks and donate that change to the Senior Challenge class gift.  The piggy bank has also inspired the persona Pio Pig, who will be keeping students updated on the Senior Challenge through Facebook, Twitter, and other sources.

“We’re asking for all members of the Class of 2010 to participate in the Senior Challenge Campaign,” said Kimberly Nelson, Senior Challenge Committee Member.

“With this being the 175th anniversary of Marietta College, we would like to see our class step up to the plate and set a new record for participation as well as dollars raised.  The previous record for participation was set last year with the Class of 2009 at 61%.  All gifts to the Senior Challenge will be greatly appreciated and will help us leave our mark on Marietta College.”

Students may make their gift by cash, check, or credit card or also by designating all or a portion of their $200 room deposit that was paid at the beginning of the freshmen year.  Pledge forms are available online to download from the Senior Challenge web page http://www.marietta.edu/Give/senior_challenge.html and should be returned to the Marietta Fund Office on the third floor of Mills Hall.  You may also contact any Senior Challenge committee member for questions or assistance.

If you would like to become a member of the Senior Challenge Committee, please contact Susan Allender at ext. 4502 for more information.