Every year, seniors approaching graduation seek to leave a permanent mark on their respective alma maters, whether it is in athletic championships, academic achievement, the priceless practical joke or a planter.
As part of the “Plant the Future Campaign,” the 2003 Senior Class Council will donate the East Quad planter and seating area located north of the Blanton Student Services Building and west of the Junkins Engineering Building as the senior class gift.
“Once the Blanton Building is done, the East Quad will be the welcome center of the university,” President Turner said. “This will be a great place for students to come together and talk.”
The Senior Class Council, which is comprised of 15 members elected by their fellow seniors, voted to donate the landscaped stone planter instead of donating a Mustang Corral Endowment, redoing the flagpole area or donating a column on the Blanton Building, according to Senior Class Council President Scott Krause.
“It is going to be one of the main focal points of SMU,” Krause said. “Not only is it going to be a place for students to meet, but also a place that prospective students and alumni will walk by.”
Besides choosing the senior class gift and planning Senior Night, every year the Senior Class Council is responsible for fundraising the required amount of money to donate the senior class gift and sponsor the Senior Night party.
Since both the senior class gift and Senior Night will cost $25,000, the council has raised money through the tables in Hughes-Trigg, a telethon to both parents and students and by one-on-one contact with seniors, according to Krause.
“Right now we have roughly $16,000,” Krause said. “So it is really important for seniors to keep donating to reach our goal.”
According to Krause, in an attempt to increase participation by students, the council has eliminated the minimum amount students can donate, which contrasts the $150 donation minimum last year. Even though there isn’t a donation minimum, students are encouraged to donate at least $20.03 for the year 2003. Both parents and students are able to donate to the senior class gift by visiting the senior gift Web site at http://seniorgift.smu.edu. As a result of donating, each senior will receive a thank you gift.
“This is the start of giving back to SMU,” Krause said. “The university thrives on donations from alumni, so this is a great opportunity to get the ball rolling.”
The dedication ceremony of the planter will be held May 16 on site. Senior Night will be held at the Across the Street Bar on the evening of May 15. Admission to the event is free, with a donation.
