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Class of 2010 Creates VC’s First Scholarship Endowed by Senior Class
The Senior Gift Committee from the Class of 2010 announced its class gift, an endowed scholarship fund, at celebration held at Alumnae House. While Vassar has many class-endowed scholarships, the gift from the Class of 2010 is believed to be the first such class scholarships for which funds were actively raised by students before graduation.
The Committee expressed hope that the money earned by this fund will be used to supplement the scholarships of various students on financial aid, an issue of particular concern in times of economic hardship. Seniors responded with enthusiastic support at the gift celebration, attended by more than half of the class. Committee Co-Chair Brian Farkas told The Miscellany News the next day, “We literally brought three bags of giving envelopes back to campus last night from the Alumnae House.”
The committee has set an ambitious goal of $15,000 in donations for initial investment in the endowment fund. It is the first such fund set up by a class and the committee needed special permission from the Vassar Development Office because the starting amount will be far lower than typical endowed funds (which normally start with a minimum of $250,000). Their hope is that the fund will be a sustainable source of financial assistance for worthy students since members of the Class of 2010, as alumnae/i , can donate long into the future. “As soon-to-be members of this alumni family,” wrote the committee in their pamphlet, “we recognize this pressing need, and are determined to be among the most dedicated classes Vassar has ever known.”