Andover students and alumni bridged a 25-year gap to collaborate on the Class of 2010’s Senior Gift. The Class of 1985 pledged to match the Class of 2010’s donation up to $10,000 if student contribution reaches 90 percent, hoping to spark student participation in the Senior Gift. As of now, the Class of 2010 remains very close to reaching its goals. Deborah Murphy ’86, Director of Alumni Affairs, said that 89 percent of Seniors have contributed to the Senior Gift. At 89 percent, this year’s Senior Gift has already achieved the second highest student membership rate in Andover’s history. The Class of 2009 holds the all-time record of 93 percent. “[2010] set this goal to reach 90 percent from the beginning. It’s incredibly exciting that they’re so close,” said Murphy. “Hopefully, every student feels that they have a reason to donate to Andover,” said Murphy. “The Senior Gift is about unity and joining your class. It can feel really good at the end to see what you’ve accomplished together.” According to Murphy, parents also have the option of donating to the gift, and their participation is counted in the total percentage. Murphy said, “Anyone is permitted to donate to the Senior Gift. Other alumni and parents may choose to make a gift to Andover and have it given to the Senior Gift. The donor does not have to be a senior to give to the Senior Gift.” “If the parents give the gift and designate that they want the gift to be given to the Senior Gift for their child, the senior will get “credit” for making a donation to the Senior Gift. If the parents give a gift to Andover but do not indicate that it is for the Senior Gift, the gift goes towards the parent fund. Less than 10 parents gave a gift to the Senior Gift fund for their children. In some of these cases, seniors gave their own gift as well. When parents give for their child, it is understood that the seniors spoke with their parents and asked if they would assist them in making a gift to the Senior Gift,” she continued. “It is true that the purpose of the Senior Gift is final unity and class pride. However, it is my belief that those whose parents give are very proud of the class and the parents simply want to “give back” as well and help their child’s class have success with the Senior Gift,” Murphy said. The Senior Gift has been in existence for 10 years. Parents have always been permitted to give to the Senior Gift and the gift has “counted” as a Senior Gift as long as it has been clearly explained that this is what the parents intended. Murphy said that the Senior Gift only requires five more student donors to reach 90 percent and receive the alumni support. If the Senior class gains funds from the Class of 1985, it will have accumulated a total donation of over $20,000, the largest Senior Gift in Andover history. “I hope kids feel great about what they’re doing. They can take pride in the immense generosity of their class,” said Murphy. Caroline Gezon ’10, a Student Alumni Representative (STAR), said, “I think that the donation amount is awesome, but I’m much more excited about the participation rate because I think that says much more about our grade as a whole and our support of the school and the faculty. “ “I think that when the Senior class heard that we would receive an additional $10,000 from alumni if they reached 90 percent most people were excited and even more eager to reach the goal,” she continued. Graduates from the Class of 1985 decided to collaborate with the current Seniors’ fundraising in order to begin welcoming the students to the alumni community and open up lasting communications. Pamela Zuker ’85 initiated the collaboration between the two classes in honor of the generosity of her father, who endowed a scholarship and donated to multiple causes on campus. “It is our belief that the rewards of remaining connected to Andover as donors, parents, alumni representatives, and reunion attendees will be magnified by the opportunity to do it together,” said Zuker. The alumni also wanted to commemorate the year of their 25th reunion, and decided to help with the Senior Gift as a way of giving back to the Andover community. The two classes will share reunion years in the future and will meet at the Class of 2010’s fifth reunion. “We, in the class of 1985, applaud your impressive efforts to place yourself in that tradition of giving back. Maybe as you approach your own 25th reunion, you will reach out in the same way to the class of 2035, and maybe our class will join you in honoring and rewarding their non-sibi efforts,” said Zuker. Michael Schaus ’85 helped organize collaboration between the two classes by sending a letter to the STARS pledging alumni aid. Schaus wrote, “We hope not only to get more Seniors involved, but also to become a valuable resource for your class. Perhaps other 25th reunion classes will do the same with future graduating classes.” The Senior Gift will support teaching at Andover by funding supplies, sabbaticals and faculty salaries. The donations will contribute to the Andover Fund, a current use initiative to support Andover’s endowment and set budgets. “The faculty is incredibly inspired that the students are donating towards teaching,” said Murphy. Zuker said, “That focus is particularly moving for our class as we reach our 25th reunion. We’re probably all reflecting on the time we spent with our faculty.” Seniors had the option of dedicating their Senior Gift donations to specific faculty members. Honored faculty members received notices about the students who donated in their honor. Gezon said, “We have the faculty to thank for our education, and so I think that it’s very fitting that we chose to give the Senior Gift to the faculty.” A number of Andover parents contributed as well, even if their children did not. The Senior Gift required minimum donations of $10. The majority of students made payments under $50, but a few Seniors donated much greater sums. The Seniors will present their Senior Gift to Barbara Chase, Head of School, in a special faculty-student gathering on the Friday before Commencement.
