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.