By CHRIS SURPRENANT
Managing Editor
This past Thursday, November 14th, the College sponsored its third annual National Philanthropy Day event in the Main lounge. Students were encouraged to take a few minutes out their busy schedules to sit down and write notes of gratitude to alumni who have made contributions to the College’s scholarship fund.
Held from 9 am to 5 pm, the event ran all day in hopes of getting as many notes as possible written. Last year, the event d
rew about 175 students, according to Cristina Hayden, associate director of annual giving. This year, the goal was raised to 200 students.
Making the day a little more interesting, the staff running the event sponsored several raffles, giveaways, and food such as cider and donuts. Students had the chance to win t-shirts, Starbucks gift cards, and the biggest prize: a Kindle Fire HD.
For every 5 thank-you cards students wrote, they earned increasing amounts of tickets to be entered into the raffle. Wearing Saint Rose attire, anything related to the College, also furthered chances of winning the Kindle. The event also made use of social media as a way to spread the word. Tweeting about the event allowed students yet another opportunity to win, all for taking a moment to say thank you.
In this day and age, however, writing a thank-you note might not be as common as it once was. The Office of Annual Giving made it a little easier for students to express their thanks, creating sample notes that students could follow. Though the day was focused on thanking those who have given back to the College over the years, it served the dual purpose of teaching students the importance of philanthropy.
“It basically educates students on the importance of giving back. Hopefully one day they’ll start their own tradition of giving so that future students can have the same Saint Rose experience,” Hayden said.
As an institution with deep roots in giving and service, Board of Trustees member Tonita McKone issued a challenge to all alumni donors. From Oct. 15th to Nov. 14th, McKone said that she would match any donation made to the College up to $10,000.
According the Hayden, the challenge gave alumni the opportunity to help out immediately, allowing the College to put the donations to good use to further educational programs.
Student volunteers were feeling the spirit of the day. “I think it’s a great idea. It’s a great way for students to thank donors. A lot of kids are on scholarships, and it makes a difference when it comes to higher education,” said Dan Speranza, a sophomore here at the College.
Furthering the idea of giving back, the sponsors of the National Philanthropy Day event gave out free t-shirts to the first 200 students to write thank-you notes with the slogan “I’ve got the attitude for gratitude” printed on the front, summing up the entire mood of the day.
This year’s National Philanthropy Day came on the heels of the largest estate gift donated to the College by the estate of Charles and Stephanie Lisowski and Pankiewicz—a sum of 1.2 million dollars that will be used to support three student scholarships. Stephanie Pankiewicz and her sister Marge Lisowski were graduates of the College, earning their degrees in 1945 and 1941 respectively.
The importance of learning has not been lost on the current generation of Saint Rose students. For junior Katie Bennett, it’s important to give back to those who make her education, as well as the education of many others, possible. Others, like senior Brittney DeVoe, realize what it means to express a simple thank you to those who support the College.
“It’s nice to give back. We appreciate what they do,” DeVoe said.
