Spring 2013
Around the Quads
Class of 2013 Gives Back
The Class of 2013 Senior Fund kicked off its campaign for its class gift on January 28. The gift will be presented to Dean James J. Valentini and the Columbia College Fund at Class Day on Tuesday, May 21.
The Senior Fund Executive Committee, along with almost 200 members of the Class of 2013 and several alumni leaders, gathered to generate excitement for their last semester and to encourage classmates to donate to the Senior Fund.
Senior Fund Chair Maria Sulimirski ’13 spoke
enthusiastically about her time at the College and noted that the evening’s
event was an “induction into giving.” She then introduced Valentini, who as he
did last year presented his “3-2-1 Challenge,” which asks seniors to pledge
$20.13 for three years, to encourage two friends to do the same and to have
their gifts matched 1:1 by an alumnus. The dean announced that he would
personally match all gifts made at the event,
up to $5,440, noting “We all owe the College something.” He asked attendees to
tell him why he chose that amount, with the hints being “James K. Polk” and
“Oregon.” The number comes from a historical slogan, “Fifty-four Forty or
Fight!”, which is associated with a dispute between England and the United
States over the border of Oregon.
Covering the “1” of the “3-2-1 Challenge,” Gene Davis ’75, ’76 SIPA, ’80L will match all gifts to the Senior Fund for the second year. In addition, Charles Santoro ’82 pledged to donate $5,000 to the College Fund when the Senior Fund has 250 donors, another $20,000 at 500 donors and another $75,000 at 750 donors.
The launch raised about $7,430, securing the dean’s match and placing the Senior Fund well on its way to its goal of $22,000.
View the “Senior Fund Launch 2013” Facebook album.
Dean James J. Valentini with the Class of 2013 Senior Fund Executive Committee. Photo: Char Smullyan