When Sandy Vogel, Class of 2016, was a freshman, the idea of giving money to Temple before she graduated simply wasn’t on her radar. “I figured I would donate once someone called me about it as an alumna,” she explained. Which isn’t to say she was unaware of the Senior Class Gift. “I assumed that I would hear it announced at Commencement.”

 

Now, Vogel is leading the charge to encourage students to donate to the class fundraiser. As a member of the first-ever Senior Class Gift Task Force, she and dozens of other seniors are organizing events and gently nudging their classmates toward making donations in the hope of increasing the percentage of seniors who give to the fund.

 

“This initiative is a way for the Class of 2016 and future graduating classes to make a difference in the lives of Temple students,” said Provost Hai-Lung Dai. “Every student, every dollar, counts to financially support fellow Owls and increase participation in giving. As the first class to participate in this new program, the Class of 2016 is making history at Temple.”

 

More proactive student giving is another stride Temple is making during this breakthrough year. Overall fundraising has broken records for three consecutive years, with an all-time high of $84.2 million raised during the past fiscal year. 

 

“Philanthropy continues to play a vital role in advancing the mission of Temple University,” said James W. Dicker, vice president for Institutional Advancement. “Having the support of our ambitious and dedicated graduates, the leaders and philanthropists of tomorrow, is paramount to the continued success of Temple as one of the nation’s top public research universities.”

 

The task force is part of a broader emphasis on student giving on campus. Julie Wilkins, student relations coordinator in the Office of the Provost, explained that her office is interested in creating new traditions at Temple. By encouraging excitement about the Senior Class Gift, “We cultivate a culture of student philanthropy, class unity and Temple pride,” she said.

 

Vogel noted that she’s starting to see friends from other universities posting about their senior-year giving campaigns, and she’s eager to see how Temple rises to the challenge. “I think it's important for seniors and Temple undergrads to be more proactive in leaving a legacy as a class,” she said. “As individuals we all make our unique mark on Temple, and I think it’s time our senior class makes its collective mark as well.”

 

—Theresa Everline