Senior Class Gift Program

HISTORY OF PROGRAM

Senior Class gifts represent a type of philanthropy that demonstrates loyalty and devotion to an institution. They provide an opportunity for students to express their appreciation for their education. They also establish a bridge between the senior year and the young alumni who will become important supporters of the University.

The Class of 1906 of the Auxiliary Manual Training Normal School established the tradition of giving a class gift to commemorate and celebrate their graduation. That class gave the statue, Winged Victory, to their alma mater. Other classes followed the tradition until the 1970s.

Some of the gifts have been lost; others are unknown. A recent gift, the statue of Gus by PSU art faculty member, Larry Wooster, stands at the south entrance of the Jack H. Overman Student Center, representing the Class of 1965. This meaningful tradition of a class gift reemerged in the 1990s under the leadership of the Office of Development and the PSU Student Foundation Board.

The members of the Student Foundation Board began in 1990 to research and evaluate the feasibility of reestablishing the senior class gift program at Pittsburg State University. That group felt strongly about the need to honor seniors and create lasting ties for them to their University. The Student Foundation Board secured the commitment and support of the University Administration and launched the senior gift program in the spring of 1992 for the Class of 1993.

Peer students nominated outstanding members of the 1993 senior class with the emphasis on representation from all University groups such as the Greeks, residence hall students, multi-cultural students, and representatives of all schools and departments. Initial invitations to eighty students to participate in this effort came from the President’s office. Over forty students responded positively to the request.

The first organizational meeting held on April 27, 1992, enabled committee members to learn the aspirations of the committee and their responsibilities. The group began monthly meetings the following September. They established four goals to guide them in their work: (1) select the Senior Class Gift to be presented to the University by the graduating class; (2) direct and carry out the fund-raising effort required to fund the project; (3) assist with two "free" social activities for seniors, one in the fall and one in the spring; and (4) create class unity and University loyalty.

The committee has a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. To assist with the effort, task forces worked in the areas of promotion/education, senior events, and senior gift. Each task force had its own chair. Special guest speakers at each meeting enhanced the committee member’s understanding of the University, the PSU Foundation, volunteerism, the PSU Alumni Association, history of senior gifts at PSU and private giving.

The Senior Gift Program has two important components of senior social events and the senior gift program. Two senior events were held during the school year. The University president hosted a reception for the Class of 1993 at his home in October 1992, with formal invitations mailed to all graduating seniors. Seventy-seven seniors attended the event. "Senior Night at the Ballgame" was held in February 1993, at a basketball game on campus between Pittsburg State University and Southwest Baptist University. The final three gift selections were displayed and all seniors received free senior class logo stadium cups, coupons for free refreshments and popcorn, and eligibility for door prizes. One hundred fifty seniors attended the event.

In March, all seniors received a special mailing providing them with the opportunity to vote for the final senior gift selection. In early April, they received a pledge card to make their own personal three-year commitment toward the Class of 1993 senior gift. A senior call-a-thon was held in late April to secure additional support for the senior gift.

The class selected for their gift a 25-foot bell tower to be located in the Oval area of campus. The classes of 1994, 1995 and 1996 joined them; The Centennial Bell Tower became a reality and now stands near Axe Library.
The Class of 1993 provided excellent leadership and student input for the ambitious goal of revitalizing the Senior Gift Program at Pittsburg State. They led their class to select a senior gift and secured funds for it. They also created a design and structure of a senior gift committee for the future. Both tasks have demanded commitment from this outstanding group of student leaders. Their desire to make a difference and achieve progress for the University motivated them throughout the year.

This program provided a much-needed method of recognizing the senior class in their final year at Pittsburg State University. Although there are immediate results for this program, the true results for the University will be most evident in the years to come by producing more loyal and philanthropic alumni.