Notre Dame's Class of 2013 will make a collective donation back to the University through the annual Senior Legacy Campaign.
The Senior Legacy 2013 aims to give the class the "opportunity to bridge the gap between [their] experience as students and [their] plan to give back to the University after graduation," according to the campaign's website.
Senior Mia Genereux, campaign co-chair, said student appreciation lies at the heart of the effort.
"It is our way of showing gratitude for our time here, as well as stepping into our new role as Notre Dame alumni," Genereux said.
The campaign this year will donate its collections toward financial aid scholarships for University students, Genereux said.
"Through establishing the Class of 2013 needs-based scholarship fund, we will be supporting future students for whom a Notre Dame education would otherwise be financially out of reach," she said.
Genereux said the senior class participation and amount of collected donations have been lower than usual, likely because students were only asked to make a one-time donation via a mass mailing system.
Genereux said she hopes the implementation of a "three-year pledge" will engage greater participation from future alumni.
"We want to improve senior class participation as well as young alumni participation rates through a revamped campaign, which includes a three-year pledge and a peer outreach system," Genereux said. "Seniors can pledge to give back in the next three years at various levels of giving."
Senior Daniel Leicht, the other campaign co-chair, said he also believes this long-term plan will facilitate participation and donations.
"We are confident that this pledge system will help seniors develop a long-term plan to give back to the University, keeping them engaged over a number of years rather than just the year that they graduate," Leicht said.
Additionally, the 2013 campaign hopes a peer invitation structure will help increase senior participation, Leicht said.
"Each senior will be contacted by a fellow member of the class of 2013 to discuss the Senior Legacy and invite them to participate with a three-year pledge," he said.
Genereux and Leicht said the goal is to have 75 percent of the senior class participate in the campaign this year. If they achieve at least 60 percent participation by the end of the school year, Leicht said the group will host a basketball tournament with "surprise celebrity emcees."
Leicht said he hopes interest and excitement for the scholarship fund will further encourage senior involvement.
"[Through the scholarship fund], our class can provide the same opportunities to potential students that we have enjoyed in our time as students at this great University," Leicht said.
Contact Carolina Wilson at cwilso16@nd.edu
