As the first class to have begun its Vanderbilt education experience at The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, the Class of 2012 has grown accustomed to having the spotlight on it. Now, as members of that class prepare to receive their diplomas in May, they already are demonstrating leadership and innovation in cultivating a tradition of giving back to their alma mater.
Student Class Fund officers Paige Cobbs, Kate Goudge, Tessa McLain, Sloane Speakman and Matthew Taylor have led the effort, with a goal of achieving 40 percent class participation. They are encouraging their fellow classmates to give $20.12 to the class gift—and designate those individual gifts to a part of the university that has had meaning for them.
Senior Class Fund activities co-chair Kate Goudge is majoring in human and organizational development, with a minor in corporate strategy. Her Senior Class Fund gift, she says, will go to the Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) ministry team and to support study abroad. “I’ve made many friends at RUF, and it’s impacted my time here,” she says. “And my study abroad was one of my most challenging and rewarding experiences.”
Throughout its last year at Vanderbilt, the Class of 2012 has enjoyed a number of events aimed at drawing attention to the Senior Class Fund effort, including a weeklong celebration, a thank-you reception hosted by Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos, and more.
To make it easy to give and to help bring awareness to the need for support, including the fact that Vanderbilt tuition pays only about 70 percent of the cost of an undergraduate education—meaning that alumni, parents and friends must make up the difference with their gifts—they have helped put together a website that includes a countdown to graduation, a video and more.
Find out more: vanderbilt.edu/seniorclassfund/2012