Class of 2012 Breaks Senior Gift Record


May 21, 2012

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President Steven Knapp celebrates the 2012 senior class gift participation with W. Russell Ramsey, B.B.A. ’81, chairman of the GW Board of Trustees; GW trustee Nelson Carbonell, B.S. ’85; and Victoria Hartman, B.A.’12, at Class Day Thursday.

GW seniors celebrated their record-breaking 50.29 percent participation in the Senior Class Gift Campaign and meeting the “50 for 50 Challenge” at Class Day.

The class of 2012 broke two university records on Thursday.

GW seniors reached more than 50.29 percent participation with this year’s senior class gift, breaking last year’s record of 43 percent. In total, the seniors raised $42,613, with each gift allocated to a GW department, organization, school or scholarship of the student’s choosing.

The amount was announced at the third annual Class Day on Kogan Plaza Thursday, which featured a toast by President Steven Knapp and included remarks by W. Russell Ramsey, B.B.A. ’81, chairman of the GW Board of Trustees; GW trustee Nelson Carbonell, B.S. ’85; and Victoria Hartman, B.A.’12, coordinator of the 40-member senior class gift committee.

Ms. Hartman said she was “ecstatic and humbled” to announce the seniors’ record-breaking achievements at Class Day.

“This is the most people we’ve had at a senior toast, and I think it’s a real testament and showing to our class and what our class has accomplished throughout the year academically, socially and philanthropically,” she said.

At Class Day, Mr. Carbonell and his wife, Michele, honored their “50 for 50 Challenge” from January by presenting a check to Dr. Knapp for $50,000 to George Washington’s Power & Promise Fund, which supports student financial aid.

In his remarks, Mr. Carbonell urged students to continue supporting the university.

“I would like to encourage all of you who gave to continue to give to this institution,” he said. “Give a little more next year, a little more the year after that, because…you’re part of this community, and this community only works because people like us give.”

Mr. Ramsey commended the class of 2012 for meeting Mr. Carbonell’s challenge.
“The fact that you took on this challenge, that you thought beyond yourself at such a young part of your life, means that you have greatness ahead of you,” he said. “You really have all of the right tools and all of the attitudes to power you to do whatever you want to do in your life.”

In his toast to the class of 2012, Dr. Knapp commended the graduates for their record-breaking participation and wished them “every success” as they move on from the university.

“You have set an extraordinary model for future students with your dedication to service, academic excellence, athletics, fraternities and sororities—to everything else that marks the life of this great institution,” said Dr. Knapp. “I have enjoyed working with all of you for these past four years, and I know you’re going to do tremendous things on behalf of our nation, on behalf of whatever community you find yourself in, and on behalf of the global community, as you move out of this institution to whatever your future may be.”