(May 7, 2015)

Seniors make a splash through giving

SHREVEPORT, LA — This March, members of the Class of 2015 were given the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of current and future Centenary students by raising funds for the Senior-Alumni Giving Challenge. Seniors and alumni raised a total of $2,921 for the Centenary Fund which supports scholarships, academic programs, and other College programs that make a tremendous impact on the needs of all students.

The Challenge was announced to the seniors at their annual Senior Class meeting with a splashy catch: through a tiered fundraising system, students could push Alumni Council President Rob Rubel, Senior Class President Miles Robinson '15, and President Rowe into the Fitness Center pool depending on the dollar amounts raised. To complement senior class contributions, the Alumni Council announced it would match the first $1,000 raised. Within the first 48 hours, members of the senior class gave $500.

"The Alumni Council really rose to the challenge in providing matching funds for all senior donations," said Director of Alumni & Family Relations Saige Solomon. "Led by President Rob Rubel, they set a great example of what it means to give back to their alma mater."

Seniors could donate through the end of the school year and saw their gifts come to fruition at the annual Senior Celebration event on Friday, May 1. At that time, student leaders of the Senior Committee presented an impressive check of $2,776 to the College. True to their word, Rubel, Robinson, and Rowe led a grand march to the FIT where Rubel was thrown into the pool to celebrate the 47 unique student gifts. Moments later, President Rowe dared the senior class participants to each give $5 for him to walk the metaphorical plank. In a flash $145 was handed over, and President Rowe was enthusiastically pushed in.

Students made their gifts through a total of 22 existing giving networks—peer-to-peer fundraising groups—and created three additional giving networks: Varsity Club, Multicultural Student Association, and Outreach.

"The Class of 2015 embraced Centenary's strong philanthropic culture through our new Student Engagement and Philanthropy programming initiative," said Director of Philanthropy Jena McKinzie. "With the leadership of our Senior Committee, the class was able to pool their gifts and see the immediate impact that contributions of all sizes can make."