Before graduating, the senior class of 2013 at California State University, Dominguez Hills added its collective two cents to the university. Or make that $4,941 payable to the University Library’s technology checkout program.
More than 100 individual contributions–many larger than the suggested $20.13– to the Alumni Association and Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) collaborative iGave Senior Class Gift Campaign resulted in the purchase of 10 second generation iPads for the Library, which expands the existing inventory for the loan program to approximately 50 tablet computers. iPads are available for checkout through the library’s Laptop Loaning Office for one-week periods to any currently enrolled student.
Alumna Zipora Gipson (Class of ’13, B.A., behavioral science) explained why she contributed.
“At times I struggled financially when I was a CSUDH student, so I know how difficult even the smallest purchases can be. I thought donating to the senior gift campaign would be a good way for me to help students coming up,” she said. “To be able to borrow an iPad is huge.”
Contributions were also made by faculty, staff, and alumni, including individual gifts of $1,000 by alumna Paula Moore (Class of ’80, B.A., psychology) and former University Foundation Board member Ken Putnam, as well as a contribution of $261.54 from Alumni Programs to round out the figure for the purchase.
As part of an effort to raise awareness of the campaign, promotional T-shirts bearing the campaign’s slogan, “2+0+1=3 We’re the only class that adds up,” were distributed to Class of 2013 seniors who contributed the minimum $20.13.
“It was a goodwill initiative that brought visibility to the library,” said the University Library’s dean, Sandra Parham.
During Welcome Week festivities on Sept. 5, the 2012-13 iGave campaign officially ended, with alumna and 2012-13 ASI president Djeneba Myriam Coulibaly (Class of ’13, B.S., business administration) presenting a ceremonial check for $4,941 to Parham, and the Class of 2014 Senior Gift campaign began, with current ASI president Gavin Centeno, a senior majoring in public administration, making the first contribution.
He challenged the Class of 2014 to raise even more money, saying, “Are we going to beat the Class of 2013? You better believe we are. And I’m donating right now.”
During a kick-off celebration held at El Pescador restaurant in Carson that evening, about $300 was raised to build on Centeno’s initial donation.
For the Class of 2014 Senior Gift Campaign, donations of $20.14 or more are being accepted through May, with forms available at the University Bookstore, ASI office in the Loker Student Union, or the Office of Alumni Programs, Welch Hall C-490. Seniors are voting to determine what their legacy gift will be.
For more information on ways to contribute, visit the Senior Class Giving website.
