Note: This message was originally sent on November 27, 2018
Good morning,
This week’s reflection does not focus on one specific donor or named fund/space, rather it celebrates the effort of an entire class believing in who are students become and experiencing great joy in helping them achieve their full potential.
20 years ago, the senior class of 1998 set out to raise $10,000 to establish an endowed scholarship to leave their mark on Gonzaga University. After months of late-night Telefund calling and letter writing, their dream became reality. On May 9, 1998, the announcement was made that the Class of 1998 Endowed Scholarship had not only reached the $10,000 mark (the minimum to endow a scholarship at that time), but surpassed it, bringing the grand total to $12,500. As a welcoming gesture to Gonzaga’s newest alumni, the Alumni Association supplemented the first two scholarship awards from the Class of 1998 with a one-time $2,000 gift. “It’s going back to the students, and that’s the most important thing,” Brigette (Livaudais) Yates, Senior Class Gift Chairman, said. “It’s fantastic for the Class of 1998 to see that this money will grow toward a worthwhile goal – helping students.” Since the fall of 1999, the Class of 1998 Scholarship has awarded over $17,500 to 21 students.
During the most recent reunion celebrations that took place this past October, the Class of 1998 scheduled specific time for their classmates to gather to reflect on what they have collectively achieved by creating this scholarship and appealed to each other to keep supporting the fund with gifts each year – it was truly an inspiring testimonial moment….our alumni speaking to each other about the responsibility of providing the Gonzaga experience to others. Giving matters here.