When Scripps College’s Class of 2000 broke the school record for philanthropy, they did it unanimously.
Each of the 142 members of the graduating class contributed to the senior gift, which now stands at $12,500, and will support student scholarships. This is the first time in Scripps’ history any class-student or alumnae-has attained 100% participation in a given year.
Senior gift co-chairs Cheryl Laven and Heidi Schumacher attribute their success to teaching their fellow classmates about philanthropy. “We focused on educating seniors on why they should give back to the college, hoping this would result in a big gift,” said Laven.
Schumacher said that the seniors donated in such numbers and amounts in order to thank Scripps for their education. “They realize that tuition and room and board fees pay for only 60% of a Scripps education. The rest, 40%, comes from donations. Because they value the education they received here, they wanted to help other women have the same experience.”
Not only did the class raise considerably more money than any class in school history, they convinced 41 women to give $100 or more, a level that, as students, makes them members of the elite Ellen Browning Scripps Society (alumnae levels are higher).
The class intends to continue the enthusiasm for giving by establishing an endowed scholarship at Scripps. According to Laven and Schumacher, they intend to continue to raise funds in the next several years until they reach $50,000. “We will be the youngest class ever at Scripps to accomplish this,” said Laven. A portion of the monies raised this year will be allocated for current scholarship needs, with the remainder invested and held for the endowed scholarship.
Sylvia Racca, Scripps director of development, commented, “I have never heard of any class reaching a 100% giving level. I have talked to my peers in other institutions and they haven’t heard of it either. This is what happens when volunteers get involved.”
After graduation this May, Laven will join the advertising firm of TBWA/Chiat/Day; in the fall, Schumacher will begin a master’s program at the London School of Economics and Political Science’s Gender Institute, where she was awarded a fellowship.