2009 senior class gift announced
A decorative map of campus was announced as the senior gift for the class of 2009 at the senior kick-off party at the Alumni House on Thursday.
Chelsie Hansen, Senior Gift Campaign chair, said more than 500 people voted on what the 2009 senior gift should be and the results were 320 for the campus map and 271 for a sitting area by Old Main.
Hansen said the map will be located in front of the Conference Center on campus. She said it will be a nice display case that is durable and lights up.
“Depending on the amount of money raised we would like to have more than one, we’d like to have a few all around campus, it just depends on how things go,” she said.
Morgan Cox, senior majoring in accounting, said, “I voted for the map. The reason I voted for the map is because I feel like when people come and visit they feel lost because there are no maps to guide them. That’s why we need maps so people don’t get lost.”
Hansen said senior gifts are encouraged because it is a tradition that started 100 years ago that the seniors like to continue.
“Most of the displays on campus are senior gifts,” she said. “I think it makes campus look nice and it’s a good program and a great opportunity to give back.”
The first senior gift was given in 1909 and it was the bells in the tower of Old Main. Other senior gifts have included the Hello Walk, the amphitheater, a study room in the library and last year, a sign on 400 North was donated as a greeting to visitors and students as they enter campus.
This year seniors are asked to donate $20.09 towards the senior gift, although donations of any size are accepted, Hansen said.
“We feel like it’s not too much to ask to put something nice on campus,” she said.
There are several ways to donate: online, at the Development Office in Old Main 106, or via a Senior Gift Committee member at Grad fair, A-Day and Homecoming Week.
Cox said, “I think the senior gift is a good idea. I look forward to coming back in a few years and being able to see my contribution to campus.”
The senior kick-off party was held at the Alumni House on Thursday, Sept. 18, where the senior gift was announced. NEWS – Jen Wilcox, a senior majoring in Lanscape Architecture is the secretary of the student chapter of the American Society of Lanscape Architecture. She helped organize National “Park”ing day on USU campus Friday. The display in front of the University Inn was one of six on campus. The goal is to increase awareness of the importance of “green space” in cities. More than 150 students attended the party at the Alumni House and all were welcome to enjoy the pizza, Aggie ice cream and raffle that were included.
“I think the senior party went well. I think it helped people to learn more about the gift we are giving. I also think it was a good opportunity for seniors to apply for graduation and not only that, but be able to get to know some members of their graduating class, it was a good time for networking,” Hansen said.
–s.k.b@aggiemail.usu.edu