Shannon Sharp wanted to give The Eli Broad College of Business a boost.
Her $20 donation contributed to the “Senior Class Campaign,” a year-long fund-raising contest between seniors at the University of Michigan and seniors at MSU.
“I thought it would be a great idea if I could donate something back to the school,” said Sharp, a human resource management senior.
The contest ends in March and the university with the most contributors receives a $1,000 grant from the MSU Federal Credit Union and the U-M Federal Credit Union.
The school with the highest participation rate - not the most money - wins the contest.
“We’re doing well,” said Bryan Griffin, assistant director of annual giving programs for University Development. “We have a good head start.”
So far, about 180 MSU seniors have donated more than $3,400 to the campaign.
For the contest, students donate money for scholarships, study abroad programs, lectureships and new equipment for MSU classrooms.
The campaign, which has existed at MSU since 1873, changed slightly this year.
“The yearly donation amount is usually right around $30,000,” Griffin said. “But, in recent past years the donations have been down.”
Because of diminishing donations, organizers of the campaign decided to spice things up and incorporate a competition with U-M as an incentive for students to donate.
“We’re trying to make it fun for students,” Griffin said. “Anything we do to compete against U-M is fun, especially when we win.
That’s why we’re doing the challenge with Michigan. This is about people giving what they can.”
Kyla Taylor, who co-chairs the Senior Class Council, said she pours energy and money into the MSU campaign.
“This is an opportunity for students to give back to the institution that’s been giving to them for four years,” said Taylor, a human biology senior.
Taylor said campaign coordinators hope for 35 percent of MSU seniors to participate.
“We’re not looking for specific money amounts,” she said. “We’re looking for people to participate and donate any amount. We want to beat U of M.”
Another new aspect of the campaign is the donors’ ability to decide where their money will be dispersed. Students can contribute to specific organizations, student groups or colleges.
Students who can’t afford to make immediate donations can pledge a sum of money and pay in October.
“I realize that seniors don’t have the funds available to donate a lot of money,” Griffin said. “I remember being in college. Some students don’t have the ability to write a $20 check right now. With this plan they can still participate but defer the payment.”
The campaign also encourages December graduates to participate.
For more information visit www.seniorgift.msu.edu.
