Graduating Class Gift Program Receives CASE V Award

The University of Findlay’s Graduating Class Gift and Honor Cord program was recognized for its outstanding efforts in enhancing student philanthropy and engagement at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District V awards in December 2016. Kendall Richardson, senior associate director of annual giving, and Marcia Sloan Latta, Ed.D., vice president for University Advancement, accepted the Gold Award for Best Student Alumni Programming along with other members of the University Advancement team at the district conference.
Through the program, beginning with the Class of 2016, students had the opportunity to earn a green philanthropy cord to wear during the University’s commencement ceremony. To earn a cord, a student for this class had to make a gift of $20.16 (their class year) or greater, attend at least one event in the University’s educational events that focused on topics regarding philanthropy and its potential effects on community, and complete service hours. Then president of the Student Government Association, Nick Thompson, and Senior Class President Kayla Prater led the charge encouraging their fellow students to participate in the program and recognize the value of giving back.
Raising more than $1,000 over their initial goal of $2,500, the graduating class of 2016 established the Findlay Fund Class of 2016 Scholarship. Additionally, a new sense of identity was created for student donors by recognizing those who have contributed to the gift through the philanthropy cord. In total, 163 students participated in the graduating class gift in 2016 to create the scholarship. During the commencement ceremonies this past spring, 114 students received their diplomas proudly wearing the philanthropy cord.