The graduating classes of Fordham University share in the legacy of the Senior Class Gift, a donation to the Fordham Annual Fund.  You might think that you can’t make a gift now because you are still in school and unsure about what you are doing after graduation.  However, a gift of any size helps!   Here is why it is so important to support the 2008 Senior Class Gift…

1. To enhance the value of your degree…Did you know that the University’s ranking in U.S. News & World Report is partly based on how many alumni make gifts to the University?  A gift of any size allows you to be counted as a participant.  A higher alumni participation rate improves Fordham’s ranking and increases the value of YOUR Fordham degree.

2. To express gratitude and appreciation…for the friends you made at Fordham and for the education that you received both inside and outside of the classroom.

3. To offer a tribute to the University…and your professors and show pride in a place that has been your home for the last four years.  You have benefited from the generosity of alumni before you and now it is YOUR turn!  Every year, tuition covers only 70% of the total cost to educate a student.  The remainder is covered by gifts from alumni and friends.

4. To support the fund that is critical to the life of the University…A gift to the Annual Fund helps to ensure the University’s future reputation, provides a single opportunity to support all areas of campus life and allows the University to respond rapidly to new opportunities as well as meet unexpected challenges.  The Annual Fund supports student scholarships and financial aid packages, assists in upgrading technology in the classrooms, provides funding for the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty, and helps pay for campus renovations.

While participation at any level helps, consider joining the Young Alumni President’s Club (YAPC).  With a gift of $50 or more, you are entitled to the following Young Alumni President’s Club benefits:

• An invitation for you and a guest to attend
  the President’s Club holiday reception

• An invitation for you and a guest to attend
  the spring Young Alumni President’s Club reception

• A complimentary ticket to each of the two
  Executive Leadership Series Career Mentoring Nights

• Recognition in the President’s Report on Annual Giving,
  which is mailed to all Fordham alumni.

If you have any questions please contact the Development Office at (212) 636-6550 or development@fordham.edu.  Make your gift now online.

See How Fordham Compares

Fordham’s alumni giving participation rate is improving and is currently 18%. See how other schools’ alumni giving participation rates compare:*

Boston College- 25%
Georgetown- 33%
Columbia- 34%
Notre Dame- 49%

*Source: U.S. News & World Report 2006 “America’s Best Colleges”

Our goal is to have 50% participation from the Class of 2008 (the Class of 2007 achieved 43% participation).  This will help improve Fordham’s overall participation rate, so we hope you will make a gift today!