It is an Oswego tradition for every graduating class to leave a gift for the next generation, but the Class of 2009 members are pursuing a gift that will keep giving long after they leave.

The Class of 2009 aims to endow a fund which will be used for environmentally friendly projects on campus. The goal is to raise $10,000 toward the new EcoFund, and use the interest collected each year to fund new projects to further Oswego's green initiative.

"The Class of 2009's senior gift will be the first [endowed] gift and I'm proud that it's going to something like an EcoFund," Senior Gift Coordinator Latasha Jackson '09 said. "[It's] something that shows that we care for and want to save our planet."

The fundraising effort is already off to a strong start, receiving donations well ahead of the gift's unveiling in May. "This is a great step for our students, faculty and staff as we show our support for a smart and worthwhile cause," Jackson said.

"We are asking that everyone support this senior class gift because we are trying to raise $10,000 -- more than any other senior class has tried to raise in recent years," she said.

The Senior Class Planning Committee, a group of about 20 students who also plan Senior Week events, has established a goal nearly 50 percent higher than the Class of 2008's $7,000. Last year's graduates raised money to fix and beautify the area around the clock in the academic quad on campus.

The seniors' progress on the Class of 2009 gift will be updated regularly online.

-- Meghan Upson '10

Oswego Alumni Association, Inc.
King Alumni Hall • SUNY Oswego • Oswego, NY 13126
315-312-2258 • 315-312-5570 (fax)
Email: alumni@oswego.edu
Web site: www.oswego.edu/alumni