Posted on April 12, 2007
Early Tuesday afternoon, senior Gwendolyn Brantley trekked up to the 2007 Madison Class Challenge progress board perched in front of the commons. Knowing the goal of receiving 500 senior gifts by April 29 had already been surpassed, the MCC student director was able to update the sign.
As of April 2, there were 219 donations, said MCC adviser Christine Bilbrey. A week later, that number had increased to 551 senior gifts. Gifts from the class of 2007, including students, parents and local donations, total approximately $21,500.
“All I can say is ‘wow,’” Bilbrey said.
At the end of the 2006 academic year, 8 percent of seniors had made a gift to the university. Although it is hard to compare the 2007 campaign to those in the past due to part of their percentages being based on unfulfilled pledges, Brantley said 2007’s current donations equal approximately 15 percent participation for the graduating class.
Challenge captains, with the volunteer support of Student Ambassadors, were present during the bookstore’s senior cap and gown sales from April 2 to 6, which according to Senior Challenge Captain Chair Jessica Jones, played a major role in the 300 donations brought in that week. The minimum donation MCC asks for is $5, which students can donate to any established fund.
Having accomplished their original goal, Jones said if MCC can get up to 603 senior gifts, it would amount to 17 percent participation among the class of 2007.
“That is the top percentage of participation since the inception of the program in 1989,” Jones said.
Brantley said MCC spent fall semester getting the word out through marketing and communication efforts so that students could understand why private dollars were important for JMU. They have also made several presentations to classes and student organizations to educate them about MCC and encourage participation.
“The number-one way to bring in donors in any fund-raising campaign is personal solicitation,” Brantley said. “We take the time to spend a couple minutes to explain what we’re trying to achieve and why their participation is important.”
Professor Steve Welpott of the College of Business is one such faculty member who allows these presentations in his classroom.
“If students can get in the habit of helping the university now, it will be easier for them to make the university a part of their giving plans in the future,” he said.
Senior finance major Betsy Hang is one senior who has contributed to and plans to continue this legacy.
“I knew that [giving] was something I had to do,” she said, “I plan on giving more in the future after I have graduated.”
Hang made a donation in the fall after an MCC representative spoke in one of her classes.
“JMU has given me the best four years of my life and I wanted to give something back to them, even if it was a tiny monetary donation,” she said.
Aside from the commitment of the 26 challenge captains and 10-member steering committee, Brantley attributed MCC’s success thus far to several organizations including the Senior Class Council, Greek Life and Madison Connection.
Brantley said having the highest participation in the history of the senior-giving program is still a possibility for seniors.
“We look forward to leaving our legacy as the class of 2007,” she said.
