Betsy Luxenberg: Why I Gave

If you had asked me why I “Lived up to the Cha11enge” and gave my Senior Class Gift six months ago, the answer I would have given then is dramatically different from the answer I would give now. While at the core may have been my basic belief in the importance of giving and the need to induce participation of our class gift, my core emphasis has shifted during the year. In the excitement of Senior Welcome Week festivities and the launch of the Senior Class Gift Campaign, I am not quite sure any of us fully fathomed or emotionally embraced the fact that it was the beginning of the end of our college days.

Now we are in the final countdown, with less than eight weeks until commencement (a funny word for the end), and I find myself reflecting, recounting, and regaling in the abundance of amazing memories created during my Undergraduate career as a Colonial. It is because of this journey that my answer to the question, “Why did you give,” is now fervently focused on the future, as we embark upon the next phase of our Colonial affiliation- being alumni. I gave in August to motivate my peers, pay it forward for those who shaped my life at GW, and to engage in the culture of philanthropy. Now I will continue to give to forge a life-long Colonial connection with the people and place I have called home for four years. I hope your experience has been as positive as mine and that you will join me this year and in the future to stay connected to GW. Cheers to the entire Class of 2011!

Randy Grey: Why I Gave?

I decided to give back to GW as a senior for a variety of reasons. Throughout my four years, GW has provided me with a variety of opportunities that have help shaped me a person. Through working for the university in various capacities, and being an active member in Greek Life, I have come to appreciate the many different aspects of a higher education institution. Having the opportunity to give something back to my chapter while also being able to support the scholarship fund of the Senior Class Gift campaign at the same time was a win-win situation. I was able to give back to something that has done a lot for me over the past four years as well as help a scholarship fund that I fully believe in. Both donations will be able to provide the future generation with the same experiences that I had the opportunity to take part in over the past four years.

Ash McDaniel: Why I Gave?

I gave back to GW because of all the great opportunities I’ve had over the course of my four years here. I would never have learned so much about my field, or had such a passion for it, without the professors who taught me. The School of Media and Public Affairs has been my home, and the professors there have inspired me to continue on with journalism. I know that my gift to the School of Media & Public Affairs will help future generations of students have a similar experience or an even better one. Because I know alums before me have helped to shape my experience in SMPA, it was rewarding giving back to a school that has done so much for me.

Chris Pappas: Reflecting on the End of Our Second to Last Semester

Seven semesters have come and gone, and in January, the Class of 2011 will start their eighth and final one. It is a scary thought to be leaving GW in May as “on your own” takes on a completely new meaning. For better or worse, we have all called GW our home for the last three years, and with our final one coming to a close it is hard not to reflect on your experience. For many of us, we have been involved in student organizations, joined Greek Life, and froze at the Inauguration of President Obama. We have explored DC, made new friends, taken classes that we have loved and hated, and lived in some of the finest residence halls. Whatever the case may be, something has been the impetus of your success at GW, and chances are, that same thing will be the highlight of someone else’s GW experience as well.

As a senior, you have the chance to ensure that students after you have a great college experience, the same way past seniors have done for us. You can donate to the Senior Class Gift, while designating your gift to a student org, department, or scholarships and financial aid. I chose to give my gift to the President’s Fund for Excellence, allowing my donation to help the university’s most pressing needs. Through financial aid, the support of my parents, and gifts made to the university (like through the Senior Class Gift) I am able to attend GW. My friends and involvement have made my experience the best it can be, and I hope my gift can do the same for students to come.

Donate your gift to something that made your GW experience worthwhile, or donate it to help improve an area that could be better. Regardless of why or where, donating to the campaign helps ensure that future students have the same, if not better, GW experience we are all entitled to as students.

Last Week of Classes Senior Night

Come celebrate with all of your December grad friends at Sign of the Whale next Thursday! Take a break before you start your second to last (or last) set of finals. Give your gift at the door and receive free drink tickets: three if you're graduating in December, two if you're graduating in May, and one if you've already given your gift (21+ only with valid ID).

Get there early to see your friends guest bartend: Chris Franzetti, Brianna Lepke, Justin Guiffre, Tabisa Walwema, Dan Bandong, Xochitl Sanchez, Randy Grey, and Kadin Nazkani.

We also have $2 domestic beers and $3 rail drinks specials from 9:00-11:00 pm.

Find the event on Facebook.

Mia Sorkin: Why I Gave my Senior Class Gift

Everyone’s doing it, but why? GW’s Senior Class Gift allows YOU to answer that question.

Upon starting my undergraduate education at GW, I had no idea what I wanted from my "GW Experience." In my eyes, everyone had a future in politics or international affairs, and I did not categorize myself in either of these academic interests. I began to question my motives and wonder how I would make this urban location and university work for ME. It was not until the end of my freshmen year that GW really began to reveal itself to me-- through service opportunities and student organizations, I was guided towards a new field of study, Exercise Science. This department is housed within the sometimes overlooked, School of Public Health and Health Services; however, a passionate faculty and staff and an immeasurable amount of academic resources complement its close-knit student population. Through this program, I was able to connect my extracurricular activities with my academic interest-- making my GW learning experience one that extended outside the classroom.

I donated my senior class gift to The School of Public Health and Health Service. My school allowed me to learn what I love, while helping establish myself within such an active University, an opportunity that every student should be granted. I encourage YOU to give back to an organization, program, department, or school that made your experience at GW a memorable one.

Why I Gave...from Senior Ryan Douglass

By now I’m sure you’ve seen the T-shirts, read the emails, gotten the texts, and sequentially been asked to give to the Senior Class Gift. The natural response that goes through most senior’s minds is, ‘why?’ Why give to GW? While each person’s experience has been different, one thing remains constant. Whether it was your student org, scholarship, fellowship, internship, or simply spending four years in our nation’s capitol- there is something special that kept us here all four years.

So why did I give? While it is pretty undeniable that I would be classified as a “GW tool,” this is not my only reason for giving. I have had an amazing three years at this school. The classes I have taken, the student organizations I have been a part of and the professional opportunities I have been offered all have attributed to why GW is the perfect fit for me- allowing growth in all parts of life. The type of experience our school offers is one of a kind, and if my gift can help current and future students at GW, then sign me up!

I chose to give to the GW Power & Promise Fund, because like a majority of GW students, I am a recipient of financial aid. Initially, I thought the chance of me being able to afford GW was slim. However, due to various scholarships and grants from such programs as the Power & Promise Fund, GW became a reality. Continuing to support these programs thereby allowing more students to make GW a reality, was more than enough reason for me to give.

At the end of the day the Senior Class Gift is not only a chance for you to positively affect those things that have been most important to you during your time here, but also the opportunity to leave our mark as a class. So I urge you all think about what part of GW has been your most memorable, has impacted you most, and then LIVE UP TO THE CHA’11ENGE and give back today!