Facts About Cornell College Senior Challenge

What is the Senior Challenge?

A philanthropic campaign to raise awareness about the importance of financial support from alumni and more specifically from graduating seniors to Cornell’s annual fund.
An opportunity to give back to your soon-to be alma mater and to help make student life at Cornell even better for the next generation of students.
A great way to help yourself by keeping your hard earned degree marketable. Increasing the number of alumni donors raises the percentage of giving, which has a huge impact on how Cornell is perceived. This percentage is reflected in national rankings and reports such as U.S. News and World Report.

Goals of the Senior Challenge:

To broaden Cornell’s alumni support by adding Cornell’s newest alumni.
To increase the overall percentage of alumni who annually provide financial support to Cornell.
100 percent participation from all senior status students to make a commitment to Cornell’s annual fund prior to graduation
Identify leaders among graduating class.
Beat the outcome totals from the year before in participation and funds raised.

What is the Annual Fund?

The Annual Fund is a pool of unrestricted gifts given to the college by alumni and friends to offset current operations in a given year. Unrestricted gifts strengthen scholarships and student financial aid, academic programs, student life activities, library resources, athletic programs, classroom equipment and so much more!

Why are Annual Fund gifts so important?

The flexibility of unrestricted gifts meets the most important needs of Cornell in operations, renovations, and financial assistance.
Gifts from alumni send a positive message to corporations and foundations from whom Cornell seeks for major support and to organizations who determine college rankings.

Why should I give?

As a member of the senior class, Cornell’s longstanding tradition of giving back begins with you. In order for the Senior Challenge program to be successful, the class needs your support to help us reach our goal as well as to set the standard for future classes.
This year the senior class has been challenged to have at least 50 percent of all graduating seniors make their first gift to Cornell’s annual fund.
Believe it or not, only 70% of Cornell’s total operating budget is covered by tuition and fees. The remaining 30% must come from other sources, including annual gifts from alumni and friends. In this way, every Cornell students receives financial assistance from these gifts. Now you have the opportunity to make a commitment that will benefit future students, just as other alumni have done for you.

Why should I participate?

Seniors Challenge offers a great way to start and stay involved with Cornell. Become part of a community that will always welcome you.
Leave your own legacy behind
Join Cornell’s 13,000 donors who give each year and become a member of the generous family that advances our college. Encourage your classmates to do the same.
Include philanthropy as part of your life.

Can I designate my gift?

Yes, however, the Annual Fund supports all areas of the college, so your favorite program will benefit from your gift to the annual fund. Annual fund gifts are more flexible than department gifts. However, you can designate to whom you would like to dedicate your gift.

I don’t even have a job yet OR I’m going to grad school . . . how can you ask me for money?

Giving a gift to commemorate the year you graduate is a great gift!
The pledged amounts of money are small and reasonable seeing as many seniors will be paying back loans and/or attending graduate school. One of the pledge levels should fit into your financial planning.
Consider this; if you break out the smallest pledge the “Hilltop” level, we’re talking .58 cents a week for the next five years.
The highest pledge lever, the Young Presidents Society, allows you an invitation to the annual Presidents Society dinner, special communications from President Les Garner, and distinctive recognition in the Annual Report and Honor Roll of Donors.

I have issues with how Cornell College uses its money or I have issues with certain faculty, staff members, dorms, etc.

I can understand that you may not agree with all decisions made over the course of four years, but surely you can find some reasons to support the students who follow us. Please consider some of the positive effects your Cornell experience has had on you and others and how your commitment can provide funds for improvements to be made.