By Kevin Rogers
Editor-in-Chief
As the class of 2014 prepares to graduate, it is mounting a fundraising effort to pave the dirt and stone footpath between Devereux Hall and the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.
To reach their goal of $7,500, class leaders are asking their fellow seniors to make a donation of $20.14 to the cause. In return, donors will receive a special brown-and-yellow tassel for graduation and have their names engraved on the large bricks used for the path.
The graduating class traditionally raises money for a project to improve the school. For example, the class of 2013 donated a new West Entrance sign and map last year. Juli Stefani, a senior marketing major, came up with this year’s gift idea.
“It was my idea,” Stefani said. “I was thinking about what would be a cool senior idea back in fall. I originally wanted a path outside the library, but we changed it to the other one (by the Quick).”
Stefani said the idea was inspired by her muddy experiences on the current path.
“I was tired of walking through the mud,” she said. “I figured it would be something students would use, and it’s something that would benefit them, which is important.”
Class of 2014 President Tyler Pauly, a sociology major, agreed the path was an ideal project.
“I’ve always noticed that sidewalk. It has annoyed me since I was a freshman,” Pauly said. “It’s just rocks, and in the winter it’s brutal because of the snow. It’s clearly a spot students want to be able to walk on.”
The class had also considered paving the walkway between the Thomas Merton Center and the Friedsam Memorial Library. However, that project would have required removing trees, so the plan was abandoned, Pauly said.
“Maintenance and the university didn’t want to do that,” he said.
The project was approved by the Senior Gift Committee, which includes Stefani and Pauly. The committee is advised by Alan Riddle, assistant director of annual giving in the University Advancement office.
“I usually advise the class every year,” Riddle said. “I help them get a committee together, decide what projects might be a good idea and help them work through the process. We put a list of things down, and we identify which would be the best, what the class could conceivably raise and what would be the most use to students.”
According to Riddle, the committee began meeting in September, and after deliberations, the committee made a group decision to pave the footpath. Other projects debated included illuminating the Francis Hall bell tower and installing solar panels. The class then set about raising money.
Riddle said past classes have been able to find donors to match their contributions. While the class hasn’t found a matching donor for this project, Riddle said he’s confident the class will meet its goal.
“I think this class is in a good position to get their goal,” Riddle said. “Everyone’s worked pretty hard. We’ve had a lot of meetings, and things are finally getting going. This is actually the most fun for me. The last month or so is when things really ramp up and people start donating and we really get things done.”
Riddle said there is no set date for completion for the project. He said last year’s gift of the sign and map will likely be installed in June.
Pauly said most of the class of 2014’s budget after senior week would be used to fund the gift. He said the class currently has roughly $10,000 left in its account before senior week spending.
The class has already made solid progress on the fundraising goal, according to Stefani. She organized the class of 2014’s 25 Days celebration at the Burton in Allegany on April 12. Five dollars of the event’s $20 ticket price went toward fundraising for the class gift. According to Stefani, 173 seniors attending and the class raised more $800 toward its goal.
“It was really successful,” she said. “I think we got more people (at 25 Days) than in a while, based on Alan’s reaction when I told him how many people we had.”
Stefani said the tassel and engraved bricks are also inspiring senior donations.
“A lot of people are interested because you get the tassel they can wear,” Stefani said. “Also, their name gets put on the brick, because that will be there forever. It’s something that will stick with the school for the rest of time.”
Contributions can be made on my.sbu.edu under the student services tab or in person in the Reilly Center bookstore on May 1. Pauly urged his fellow seniors to make their donation before moving on from St. Bonaventure.
“It’s one of those things that in the long run you’ll be happy that you donated,” Pauly said. “You’re recognized as part of the class. Graduating is a big deal. You want to be remembered.”
