Each year at Gannon University, a senior class says goodbye as a freshman class joins the community. Along with the seniors saying goodbye, they also give Gannon a senior gift.
The senior gift provides an opportunity for each class to leave its mark on campus, Luke King, Student Government Association president and a senior biology and pre-med major, said.
Last year, the senior gift raised $5,000 to put a pedestal saying “Class of 2013” on the Golden Knight statue.
This year, the senior gift will be a time capsule that will be installed in the new Rec Center.
“With all the exciting changes this year – Rec renovations, School of Communication and the Arts, Forensic Science building, etc. – we thought there is no better way to preserve these monumental changes than with a time capsule to be installed,” King, who is on the senior class committee, said.
SGA senior gift committee, which is chaired by the senior class chair, decides the senior gift each year. The committee consists of SGA members – Luke King and Megan King – and other non-SGA students – Emily Martin and Abby Taylor.
Britt Daehnke, the director of Annual Fund for Academic Excellence, is the mentor for the project.
“I like the time capsule because it is a way to capture memories and moments, especially since there is not a yearbook that can be used in 25-50 years from now,” Daehnke said.
The time capsule will include video and photos from anyone who would like to donate to the senior gift.
The video project for the time capsule will take place at the Senior Salute.
The senior class has held fundraising opportunities including the pizza competition during Unity Week. It also sent letter requests to the Gannon community for donations.
The committee is also accepting pictures from graduating seniors to be included in the time capsule with a $5 donation or $20.14 to talk on video, King said.
The hard task is making sure the video is compatible with whatever device is being used 25 years from now, Daehnke said.
The remaining funds for the senior gift will be used to support student scholarships through the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence.
“Ninety-five percent of Gannon students rely on scholarships and financial aid to attend the university, so these funds are really important,” Daehnke said. “Gannon is a special place and what you learn here will follow you throughout your career and your life.”
The senior class will open the time capsule at the Class of 2014 25th Reunion, King said.
COLLEEN LANGHAM
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