Class of ‘08 plans to give back to JCU

Graduating seniors will have a unique opportunity to give back to the John Carroll University community this year.

The Senior Legacy Project is in the process of being reinstated after its last appearance in 2002.  The program was started in 1986 with 26 percent of the senior class participating.

The program is aimed at seniors who want to make a financial contribution to the community of $10, $20.08, $50, $75 or any other amount they are able to give.  

All the proceeds will go in the Carroll Fund, which contributes to the operating budget of JCU and makes certain that departments and organizations get adequate resources to create a positive atmosphere.

“Collecting a certain amount of money is not necessarily the most important thing, but reaching a certain percentage of seniors participating is,” said Senior Class President Abby Joyce, who is spearheading the project.  

She added that even though the main goal of the project is to get 27 percent or more of the senior class participating in order to beat the record, reaching the goal of $2,008 “would be very exciting too.”

More specifically, the Carroll Fund provides support of scholarship and financial aid programs, academic enhancements, athletic programs, the mission and identity of the University, student activities, campus and ground maintenance and technology needs.

“Basically, the Senior Legacy project gives us a chance to give back to the institution that has shaped us as individuals so that JCU has the resources to continue producing graduates who excel after they leave here,” said Beth Wall, another senior leading the project.

JCU, along with many other institutions, relies heavily upon alumni and friends to keep tuition more affordable.  According to JCU’s Web site, educational costs have increased 37 percent, while government aid has decreased over the past ten years.

“The Office of University Advancement and the [Senior Legacy] committee are hoping to educate future alumni about the importance of giving back and the very important role alumni participation has on the institution,” said Joyce.

The project was sidelined from 2002 until now because of the University-wide campaign to build the Dolan Science Center and Athletics Complex.  

During this time, many fund-raising programs were put on hiatus to focus on what were prioritized as larger issues.  

Putting aside these other fund-raising programs was “probably not the best long-term decision,” according to Joyce. “It is important to bring back the class gift program because it is vital to the success and mission of John Carroll.”

Representatives will be sitting in the atrium during lunch hours on the weeks of March 26-28 and March 31-April 4.  

They will have brochures about the project and will assist seniors in making donations and teaching them how to donate on the Web site. 

The theme for the project this year is “Pay it Forward,” something that the Senior Legacy committee hopes every senior will do.