Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Some Object To Senior Gift Selection

When the Senior Class Gift Committee decided last year to fund the construction of a park outside Reiss Science Building, it continued a long-standing trend of senior classes who wanted to leave a unique imprint on the Hilltop.

So when this year’s SCGC announced that its parting gift to the university would be a donation to the Georgetown Fund, many seniors voiced their disapproval, saying they were not included in the gift-selection process.

Fritz Brogan (COL ’07), the committee chair, said the idea for the gift arose in a meeting between committee members and administrators in the Office of Advancement, which oversees the SCGC. Brogan said administrators suggested that the committee donate its annual gift to the Georgetown Fund, an fund run by the Office of Advancement which provides money for financial aid and other programs.

The SCGC decided to go with the idea at a later meeting without asking for suggestions from the senior class, breaking with the tradition set by previous committees. Aside from the park given by the class of 2005, class gifts from recent years have included the Jack the Bulldog clock in Southwest Quad and the “Welcome to Georgetown” sign above the Canal Road entrance.

Brogan, appointed by the Office of Advancement last semester, defended the committee’s decision, saying that the Georgetown Fund directly benefits many students.

“Especially when you consider that many students, including seniors, are on financial aid, the benefits to the students are direct,” he said.

The senior class was informed of the decision in January by an e-mail that requested their feedback. “We received diverse feedback from a vast variety of people in the senior class,” Brogan said.

Matthew Lambert, senior director for development and engagement in the Office of Advancement, said that the committee chose the senior gift after discussion with administrators.

“The goal for this year’s campaign was discussed with the Senior Class Gift Committee chair and his committee, and it was agreed that this was the best way for Georgetown seniors to collectively voice their support for Georgetown’s mission,” Lambert said.

Some seniors said that they were disappointed that the committee did not solicit input from the senior class as a whole. Adam Schepps (MSB ’07) described the gift as a “cop-out,” and said that he does not intend to contribute.

Whitaker Leonhardt (COL ’07) said that he was unhappy with the decision, and wished the committee had chosen a gift that would make a more visible difference around campus.

“From an alumni perspective, one wants to create a lasting monument commemorating one’s time at Georgetown in order to pass down traditions,” Leonhardt said.

Will Wagner (SFS ’07), however, said that he supports the idea of donating to the Georgetown Fund.

“I would much rather see the money invested in students than meaningless benches,” Wagner said.

Alison Noelker (COL ’07), a member of the gift committee, said that this year’s selection process alleviated the frustrations that could arise from conflicting opinions.

She said that she strongly supports the gift decision.

“We can cause effective change, allowing us the opportunity to pass on the quality of education we got to someone else,” she said.

The gift committee has set a target participation rate of 85 percent, which would break the participation record set last year. Brogan said that the committee is on its way to meeting this goal.

Lambert said that he does not expect participation to decrease because of the means by which the gift was chosen, but added that it may be more difficult to excite the senior class about a gift whose effects will be relatively intangible.

“It may be a more challenging task to educate students about the importance of supporting Georgetown’s greatest needs as opposed to more physical gifts, but it is a far more important goal and one for which future Hoyas will be most grateful,” he said.

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