Erskine Women's
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Erskine Students Work Toward Gold Campaign Kickoff
As Erskine trustees, alumni, faculty and staff gear up for tonight's Gold Campaign kickoff, Erskine students are joining energetically in campus-wide efforts to ensure the success of what is expected to be the school's largest campaign.
Each class is raising funds for the Gold Campaign, a number of students are helping with the kickoff dinner and concert, and all students were invited to a Gold Campaign presentation at a college convocation today as well as a celebratory barbeque lunch and steak supper.
Gold Campaign Co-Chairman Joe Black of Buena Vista, Colo., told Erskine students today, "Everything the Gold Campaign is doing is truly for you — thank you for all you mean to Erskine."
Black announced the donations received to date from each college class, reporting that overall, 46 percent of the student body has contributed to the campaign. Senior class participation was highest, at 69 percent, followed by the freshman class at 66 percent, the sophomore class at 36 percent, and the junior class at 14 percent.
Erskine Student Activities Director Brooke Clinton said each class president organized a class meeting in which the Gold Campaign was discussed. "Students were encouraged to give to the campaign to show support for Erskine's future," she said.
Tonight's celebration, beginning with a ceremony and reception to honor some of Erskine's past and present benefactors, signals the start of a capital campaign that will benefit students for years to come.
"Many of the students here at Erskine, especially those with scholarships, realize they would not be at Erskine without the financial gifts from the last campaign," Clinton said. "And the upperclassmen are excited about the physical changes they have seen taking place on our campus — they understand the importance of these renovations."
"We have been able to benefit from those before us who have worked hard in the past to raise money — for example, we have the Bowie Arts Center, the Daniel Moultrie Science Center, and renovated dorms," said senior accounting major Caroline Culp of Spartanburg, president of Erskine's Student Government Association. "We should definitely try to give back and do the same for those who are coming in the future."
"The students' donations are a way of saying 'thank you' for all the beautiful renovations, additions and scholarships made possible in part by the success of the last campaign," Clinton said. "As a somewhat recent graduate myself, I have seen many of the changes take place and want Erskine to continue to prosper.” Clinton said.
"I strongly believe this campaign will allow the college to better develop its mission and spread its influence throughout our communities, building a better future," said Student Christian Association president Rob Brown, a senior from Westminster.
"Not only will the results of this campaign help to solidify a foundation for future Erskine students, it will be the very source of the growth that will take place here at Erskine for years to come," Brown said.
Caroline Williams of Union, president of the sophomore class, is excited about fund-raising for the Gold Campaign as well as the opportunity for students to participate in tonight's kickoff.
"The sophomore class has made a good amount of money, and the support has been great," she said. "The responses I'm getting are that everyone is appreciative of the campus improvements we're experiencing now and they want to see that continue.
"Not only are we doing some fund-raising, but we've been invited to mingle at the formal dinner, where we'll be able to get to know some of the people who are making gifts to Erskine College," Williams said.
Clinton said some students are helping set up for Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale's concert this evening, and will also be manning the admission gates and cleaning up.
"Student groups, including the men's and women's basketball teams and the Choraleers, are participating in the dinner as servers and valet parkers," Clinton said. "Others will serve as escorts, accompanying guests from the reception to the dinner and on to the concert."
"The students who are helping and serving at the dinner and receptions seem excited to meet some of the people who have contributed so much to our campus," Culp said.
"I have gained so much from being at Erskine — not just a great education, but also a great experience, learning and growing from the faculty and students," she said. "I want others to be able to experience the same thing."
Erskine Men's
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