The Senior Class Council has decided on a class gift that will literally leave its mark at Ohio University.
The council plans to give OU a Pathway of Tradition -five bronze plaques dedicated to student traditions that have shaped OU
said Nadine Wise, Senior Class Council president.
The 21-inch square plaques will be embedded in the walkways on College Green and a sixth larger plaque -4 feet in diameter -with the Ohio University seal will rest at the intersection of the walkways leading from College Gate and the Civil War monument.
This is monumental because the Class of 2005 is really the only class that has been able to alter College Green Wise said. Other classes in the past have tried but have been denied but this year the president is giving us his full support.
Members of the senior class will be asked to join the Senior Class Signature program by giving a gift to support the Pathway of Tradition class gift project, said Duane Sprague, assistant director of Annual Giving at OU.
The plaques and subsequent construction to College Green will cost about $3,500, Wise said.
Each plaque will address a different aspect of OU: relationships that have shaped the university, free speech, the annual Under the Elms concert, the legacy of Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium, and the significance of College Green.
Many seniors said their classmates should support the gift.
I definitely plan to donate
senior Jessica Moss said. I'm very passionate about the importance of giving back to the university. The senior gift is a great way to give back and be remembered at the same time.
OU senior Cara DePalma said the Pathway of Traditions in the College Green is a great way for the Class of 2005 to leave its legacy.
I think it's really cool that the school is letting us put something on College Green. We're going to be able to do something that hasn't really been done before
she said.
Last year the average class gift donation was $26; this year Senior Class Council is asking all seniors to donate at least $20.05. But any people who donate any amount will have their names and their dedications listed at graduation.
The goal of the 'Senior Class Signature' is to strive for 100 percent participation
and gifts at any level will help in this effort
Sprague said.
The Senior Class Council also hopes this year's senior class gift initiative will spark more interest.
Last year only 108 students donated toward the senior gift
and usually there are over 4
000 students who graduate
Wise said. We are looking to surpass that goal by a long shot.
For more information or to make a donation contact Duane Sprague at 740-593-2621, spragued@ohiou.edu or Nadine Wise at nw287801@ohiou.edu. Information can also be accessed at www.ohio.edu/seniorgift.
