Philanthropy Day Honors Donors, Volunteers

Letter-writing campaign, events on campus celebrate those who give back.

April 8, 2014

Student signs philanthropy thank-you banner

A George Washington University student signs the "thank you" banner on Kogan Plaza during Tuesday's Alumni and Philanthropy Day celebration.

By James Irwin

Hunter Pritchard’s letter was about opportunity.

“Alumni donors help ensure students can continue to make an impact, not only within the GW community, but in the D.C. community and beyond,” the School of Business senior said of the thank-you card he penned to a donor Tuesday on Kogan Plaza. “That was the message I put in my note.”

Mr. Pritchard was one of 1,000 students who signed a giant thank-you banner and wrote notes to alumni and donors Tuesday, as members of the George Washington University community gathered for GW’s Alumni and Philanthropy Day celebration.

The annual event, cosponsored by the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, the 2014 Senior Class Gift committee and Colonial Ambassadors, recognizes philanthropy and lifelong involvement at the university.

“Staying connected is important,” Elliott School of International Affairs junior and Colonial Ambassador Maddison Bruer said. “No matter how far removed you are from graduation, you are still part of this community.”

More than 18,500 alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends of the university made a gift to GW last year. Graduates serve on advisory boards, participate in community service projects and volunteer as mentors across the university.

“I’m currently interning at the White House, and my boss is a GW alum,” Ms. Bruer said. “And that connection wouldn’t have happened had I not gotten to know her at a student-alumni event.”

The university attached balloons to structures throughout campus on Tuesday where alumni—through their philanthropy and involvement—have played an important role. GW also placed about a dozen banners around Kogan Plaza, thanking donors and alumni for their support of the university and highlighting the GW Alumni Association’s 34 domestic and 29 international networks.

“Today we’re celebrating the way alumni give back through their time and service, and also through their gifts,” said David Anderson, associate director of annual giving. “One thing we want students to know is alumni have played a role in their GW experience.”

Mr. Pritchard, a member of the Senior Class Gift committee, recently made his Luther Rice Society pledge. He said thanking donors underscores the importance of giving, and helps students understand how they can make a difference through philanthropy before they graduate.

“With the senior class gift we encourage giving back to the things that matter most to them during their time at GW,” he said. “I think each student has their own GW experience and this allows them a way to give back. Today’s event really connects students and alumni at all levels.”

Join alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students and friends of the university in supporting GW students today.