Thirty-five percent of the Class of 2011 has participated in the senior class gift fundraising so far, a record percentage for this time of year, according to Senior Class Gift Committee Co-chairs Aaron Louison '11 and Jennifer Shapiro '11. The committee, which collects donations from seniors every year in recognition of faculty members to be used for clubs, departments, scholarships and the annual fund, has raised about $7,000 so far this year, according to Louison.

"It's not so much about the money as it is about the participation," said Shapiro. The record for participation in fundraising is 68 percent from the Class of 2008. Louison and Shapiro said that they are aiming for 75 percent participation from the Class of 2011.

According to the committee's website, the highest amount of money raised by the senior class since 1990 was $15,895.64 from the Class of 2007, with 64-percent participation. The Class of 2010 raised $12,238 with 56-percent participation.

University President Frederick Lawrence said at an April 13 donor reception he would personally match the total amount of funds raised for the senior class gift, according to Shapiro and Louison. Lawrence and his wife, Kathy, hosted the reception for students who donated $20.11.

Shapiro and Louison said that Lawrence's decision to match the senior gift was "so generous."

"He's been supportive 100 percent of the way," said Shapiro.

Louison said that he and Shapiro met with Lawrence in the fall during his transition into his role as University President and that Lawrence was supportive of a "strong sense of community."

Shapiro and Louison said that they organized several events to raise funds for the senior class gift, such as bar nights; "When We Were Seniors," where then-President Jehuda Reinharz and President-elect Lawrence spoke about their experiences as college seniors; the "100 Days Until Graduation" party hosted at the Stein; and the B-Seniors week, which Shapiro said provided opportunities for seniors to "look back and look forward" and receive pins in recognition of their contribution to the class gift.

Louison spoke on the importance of the pins, saying "there's no real recognition that students get on their gowns at graduation ... so this will be really standing out and showing that alumni, students and parents are all giving back to the University."

Seniors can continue to donate through the committee's website, according to Louison. Shapiro said that the committee is distributing pledge cards at different activities and events. Donations will be collected throughout Senior Sign Out and Senior Week, and historically most of the donations are received during this time, according to Louison.

"It's been a really exciting year," Louison said.

Louison added that he hopes this will set a new standard for senior gifts so that the Class of 2012 can aspire to give back even more.