News > February 22, 2007

By Jae Haley and Steve Ettanani

Managing editor and staff writer

The Senior Class Campaign, in charge of soliciting donations from seniors, is currently creating a plan that will help it reach its goal of 300 donors from the current senior class.

Headed by seniors Allison Hawley and William Sinclair, the campaign has raised about $5,000 from more than 130 donors. Last year, the campaign raised $3,500 from 125 seniors.

The Senior Campaign is offering incentives to the senior class to help meet its 300-donor goal.

Vice president of student life Ken Zick and chief of university police Regina Lawson are offering one faculty/staff parking pass for the spring semester. Additionally, the office of alumni affairs recently chose two senior donors as the recipients of a trip for two to see the Feb. 20 Charlotte Bobcats/New Orleans Hornets game and a chance to meet NBA star and former university student Chris Paul.

Next week marks the beginning of “Senior Week,” which is also designed to encourage donor participation. Those who have given donations prior to Senior Week will receive free and expedited entry into events, and those who have yet to donate will be asked to do so at the door. 

The week consists of three events: “Thank a Professor Night” Feb. 26 at River Birch Lodge, “Senior Night” Feb. 28 at Freddie B’s and “Trivia Night” March 1 at Foothills Brewery. All the events begin at 8:30 p.m.

The campaign members are also developing a program to educate the student body on the importance of giving back money to the university. According to Lenker and the Senior Class Campaign’s Web site, “tuition (funds) only covers about 70 percent of the cost for a student to attend the school, and the remaining 30 percent is made up through donor support.” 

The Web site also emphasizes the effect of donations on the university’s national ranking in US News & World Report.

While soliciting donations, the campaign is also trying to avoid the controversy and criticism from last year’s seniors after confusion over the newly constructed Archway.

Last year’s donations were used to purchase the plaque on the Arch, but some people thought the money was used to buy the actual Archway itself.

In order to avoid such problems this year, the office of alumni activities has decided to put all senior contributions toward support of the university as a whole, particularly the college and Calloway funds. 

All senior donations will be used wherever they are needed the most as determined by university officials, not toward one specific goal or project.

Students can donate online at http://www.wfu.edu/alumni/giving/seniorclass.html Those who choose to donate online can also make their donation in honor of a specific person.

Donations are accepted through Deacon Dollars, Visa, MasterCard, cash and check.