ELIZABETH GUITEN
Staff Writer
The rivalry between Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount University will extend off the courts and playing fields tomorrow with the launch of the Senior Challenge Web site.
This year, Senior Challenge, which seeks to raise money for a gift to Pepperdine, will pit the senior classes from both schools against each other in an effort to get all soon-to-be graduates involved.
“I am expecting every senior to participate,” said Julie Chang, senior class president. “You don’t have to donate your life savings, just give what you can. Think of it this way, if you give up a few drinks at Coffee Bean or one DVD you’ll be set.”
Goals for this year include increasing participation to 60 percent, compared to the 50 percent goal for participation last year. The target amount for the fund-raiser is to collect $15,000.
Another goal is to beat the class participation of LMU seniors.
“LMU is going to run an advertisement in the Graphic challenging our seniors to beat them in class participation,” said Dawn Pettersen, assistant director of Advancement and Alumni Relations. “We are going to run in their Los Angeles Loyolan challenging them to do the same. We have made an agreement that each ad will be designed by seniors.”
The Senior Challenge has been a part of Seaver College history for 17 years. From the beginning in 1989 until 1992, the challenge consisted of the senior class president sending out a letter. From 1993 to 1995, a committee formed to raise money for scholarships, and from 1995 until the present, there has been voting for the senior class gift within a committee comprised of Seaver seniors. Last year, the total amount donated for the Senior Challenge was $3,189. Total senior class participation was 38 percent, or 208 out of 558 graduating seniors.
One different aspect of this year’s Senior Challenge is the creation of a Web site designed specifically for the challenge. Set to launch tomorrow, the site will explain the history of the challenge and allow people to donate online for the first time. The site will also publish names of those who donate in a bulletin to be posted in the new year.
The launching of the site also begins voting for the senior class gift. Last year’s money was donated to the construction of a new parking structure. Some ideas this year include: International Programs scholarships, Seaver student scholarships, a Volunteer Center Emergency Fund, an Intramurals Sports Fund and a new scoreboard for Firestone Fieldhouse.
To motivate the class to give, students will receive a 20 percent discount from the bookstore with a $20 donation to the Senior Challenge. Those giving at levels of $25, $50 and $75 will receive recognition in the Commencement Ceremony program.
Submitted 11-03-2005