MOUNT VERNON — Graduating seniors at Cornell College raised a record $54,674 for the class gift, a contribution to the Annual Fund that supports critical college operations including scholarships, student and faculty research, library acquisitions and leadership and service opportunities.
The Senior Challenge drew commitments totaling $41,845 from the class of 2007, surpassing the fundraising goal of $37,000 and more than doubling the amount pledged by the class of 2006, which previously held the record. Contributions came from nearly 46 percent of the 2007 senior class (141 of 308 students). Matching gifts added $12,829. Seniors will pay their gifts to the college over the next five years.
“My classmates stepped up and truly took the challenge,” said Sarah Brungard, 2007 Senior Challenge coordinator from Dunkerton, Iowa.
“It’s obvious that Cornell holds a special place in the hearts of many,” she said. “The Senior Challenge is a great way for our class to give back to the place that has been our home for the past four years, and we’ve given a gift that will help benefit future students, just as other alumni have done for us.”
Challenge gifts came from Peter Wilch, Cornell vice president for alumni and college advancement, and Melanie Wilch, who pledged a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10,000. The Wilches are Cornell graduates who live in Mount Vernon. In addition, Cornell President Les Garner and Katrina Garner pledged $20.07 per student who participated in the Senior Challenge.
The Senior Challenge gifts are part of Cornell College’s comprehensive campaign “Extraordinary Opportunities: The Campaign for Cornell College” which concludes in December 2009. The campaign seeks to enhance the Cornell experience by increasing the college’s endowment, upgrading its facilities, and enhancing the academic program.
For more information about the campaign or making a gift, please visit www.cornellcollege.edu/campaign