This week the Saint Mary's Class Gift Campaign is kicking off their philanthropic activities for the year with a competition between the classes.
The competition, planned by the Class Gift committee, was one of many suggestions the group discussed to gain support and recognition of the Campaign, co-chair Molly Goldsmith said.
"We decided that a competition between the classes would be the perfect way to encourage students to participate in the campaign and have some fun at the same time," she said.
Goldsmith said this competition fits into the Class Gift Campaign's main goal of 100 percent participation from each class.
"Donor participation of students is very important in Saint Mary's national rankings and opportunity for financial aid to students," she said.
The event also ties into the Class Gift Campaign's third annual Karaoke Idol, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 6. The class with the most participation in the competition by the end of the week will win the opportunity to watch a professor representing the class sing a song during Idol.
The committee nominated professors who they thought each class would most identify with, Goldsmith said. They then approached the professors and four of them volunteered to represent the classes.
Biology professor Thomas Platt will represent the first years, mathematics professor Joanne Snow will sing if the sophomores win, Mary Porter, another mathematics professor will represent the juniors and communications professor Susan Baxter is representing the seniors.
"[These] four brave souls volunteered because they believe in what we are doing to raise money for Saint Mary's and educate students about the importance of philanthropy at [the College]," Heather Frey, assistant director of the Annual Fund said.
Saint Mary's Annual Fund, which provides scholarships and financial aid for current students, runs the Class Gift Campaign, formerly called the Senior Gift and Quarters Campaign.
"Working under two names was confusing for students," Frey said. "So we changed our name to the Class Gift Campaign because it makes our philanthropic purpose clear and it focuses on each class."
The Campaign raises money for a gift, which each class will donate to the College at the end of its senior year.
"It's a way to show appreciation for the opportunities you have at Saint Mary's and to help the College continue educating future generations," Frey said.
Currently, the Campaign is stationed outside the Noble Family Dining Hall in the Student Center inviting students to make their gift to the College or they can make their gift online at www.saintmarys.edu/class-gift-campaign.
