As graduating seniors leave the halls of Loyola behind, they also leave behind a gift, and this year, seniors are the getting the opportunity to make a difference.
With the option of a cash donation to the University Counseling Center or a donation that would go towards buying Havoc T. Wolf a new ensemble, seniors have until April 21 to choose the gift they wish to support, or to opt out altogether.
While some seniors have already made their donation, others, like Lauren Poiroux, sociology senior, are still on the fence about participating at all.
“On one hand, giving to the counseling center is something I absolutely support and would do, and I more than likely will do. On the other hand, our class in particular seemed to sort have been neglected by Loyola. We didn’t have junior soiree, no 100th night, and countless other things that just kind of leave a weird taste in my mouth,” Poiroux said.
With time to decide, many students are debating which gift deserves their donation. However, Madeline Janney, psychology senior, knows exactly where her money is going.
“I’m planning to donate towards a new outfit for Havoc because I think the athletic department is unfortunately sometimes forgotten, and I think it would be exciting to see a tangible outcome of our donations,” Janney said.
The Senior Class Gift Committee, comprised entirely of seniors involved on campus, nominates the gift choices each year in the hope that the rest of the senior class will find the gift as a meaningful legacy to leave behind.
Bud Sheppard, committee member and economics senior, said that they took their time to deliberate what gift would be best for both the seniors and the university.
“We felt that Havoc does in fact represent school spirit, but we also felt that making a contribution to the counseling center would inspire more excitement behind the gift. Students want to contribute to something that can make a difference in people’s lives,” Sheppard said. “We brainstormed on various ideas, but the counseling center was an idea we kept coming back to and ultimately decided it was our favorite.”
While most students agreed that Havoc is an important part of the university, Sheppard said that the University Counseling Center has the opportunity to grow with this class’s donation, which could go a long way to helping future students.
“The fact that the University Counseling Center does such wonderful things for our students. We want more students to understand the center’s purpose and to try and empower those students to seek help if sought,” Sheppard said.
Along with a cash donation of any size, seniors can honor someone who has influenced or inspired them during their time at Loyola. These honorees will be listed in the commencement program at the graduation ceremony in May.
“Although I feel like I could never repay the people who have done so much for me, the senior class gift is one small way to thank someone who has impacted my time at Loyola,” Janney said.
The committee’s next meeting on March 8 will determine what the donation will be used for specifically.
