Seniors look to leave their legacy with class gift

Class of 2010 is raising money to create a scholarship to benefit future Bryant students.

On Monday afternoon the Class of 2010 unveiled their class gift – the Class of 2010 Legacy Scholarship that will support the educational endeavors of Bryant students for years to come. The gift was determined by a vote of the members of the senior class, and nearly half voted to support the scholarship fund.

The announcement kicked off the spring Senior Class Gift Campaign Week sponsored by the Class Gift Committee. Seniors are invited to visit a table in the Rotunda the week of February 8 anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to make a donation.

(L-R) On Monday, Chris Lussier ’10 (Spencer, MA), Meghan Aloisio ’10 (Gloucester, MA), and Alex MacKenzie ’10 (Newton, MA) hold up a check at the unveiling of the Senior Class Gift. Money is being raised to establish the Class of 2010 Legacy Scholarship to benefit future Bryant students.

Students can also enter to win a raffle for a free Senior Week ticket package, and the Bryant community is invited to shop at the Scoop in the Bryant Center on Friday, February 12, when 10 percent of all sales will be donated to the Senior Class Gift. (Stay updated on the progress of the Class Gift Campaign by becoming a fan of the group's Facebook page.)

Seniors, parents, and friends can also give online with a credit card by going to Bryant Online Giving. In the “Gift Designation” section on the second page, simply write “2010 Senior Class Gift” in the “Gift Designation Other” line.

The campaign got off to great start as nearly 100 seniors donated more than $12,000 at a kickoff event in October. To date $31,000 has been raised with a 26 percent participation rate. The goal is to generate $40,000 with a 52 percent participation rate, which would break the previous record of 51 percent set just last year.

Giving back

Alex MacKenzie ’10 (Newton, MA) says the Legacy Scholarship is a worthwhile gift because it helps alleviate some of the financial burdens students face from the rising cost of higher education. He is one of the three Class Gift Committee co-chairs along with Meghan Aloisio ’10 (Gloucester, MA) and Chris Lussier ’10 (Spencer, MA).

“We have all experienced funding our education through loans and grants, and the Legacy Scholarship is one way to give back to future students that will hopefully make it a little easier for them,” says MacKenzie.

Bryant has continually shown a commitment to providing the financial support that ensures students can experience the University’s world-class educational and co-curricular opportunities Last year, 89 percent of students received some form of financial aid, including scholarships, loans, need-based grants, and work-study awards.

The establishment of the scholarship further supports these efforts and creates a culture of philanthropy for Bryant’s next group of alumni.

“Voting for the Legacy Scholarship shows our willingness to give back to a university that has given each of us so much during our time here,” says Lussier.

The Class of 2010 Legacy Scholarship will be endowed, which means the scholarship will be given from the interest earned while the principal remains untouched.

“The larger we can make the scholarship fund, the better chance we will have of creating more substantial, meaningful, and long-lasting impact for generations of Bryant students,” says Lussier.

World of opportunity

Seniors who donate to the scholarship fund will ultimately be able to decide the parameters of the scholarship, explains Aloisio. “This scholarship could go to an incoming student or a rising senior depending on what the donors feel will be more beneficial,” she says.

Students such as Aloisio, Lussier, and MacKenzie know firsthand the benefit of the Bryant experience. They have been able to take advantage of the many opportunities available to them in and out of the classroom.

At the Senior Class Gift Kickoff event in October, President Ronald K. Machtley and Chris Lussier ’10 (Spencer, MA), one of the Class Gift Committee co-chairs, exchange a high five. The class gift, the Class of 2010 Legacy Scholarship, will be formally unveiled on Monday, February 8.

Aloisio plans events with the Student Programming Board, Lussier is a member of the Honors Program, and MacKenzie is active with the Ski and Snowboard, which will take a trip to the Swiss Alps this winter.

The Legacy Scholarship will open the door for future generations of students to become active and engaged members of the Bryant community.

“Bryant University is a great institution,” says Aloisio. “We feel that any help we can give through the Class of 2010 Legacy Scholarship to allow a student to continue his or her education here is an incredible opportunity.”

Senior Class Gift Co-Chairs

Meghan Aloisio (Gloucester, MA)
Chris Lussier (Spencer, MA)
Alexander MacKenzie (Newton, MA)

Senior Class Gift Committee

Nickie Archambault (Southington, CT)
Phil Bock (Hardwick, MA)
Jess Bolton (Belgrade Lakes, ME)
Kira Brantley (Shelton, CT)
Morgan Buell (Waterbury, CT)
Christopher Claude (Medford, MA)
Emily Deschenes (Swansea, MA)
Denise Elias (Trumbull, CT)
Kelly Frantz (Southbury, CT)
Jillian Grembowitz (No. Clarendon, VT)
Liana Grieg (York, ME)
Dan Holland (Tewksbury, MA)
Kelly Hollister (Wayne, PA)
Stephanie Kirk (Pompton Lakes, NJ)
Leana Lam (Quincy, MA)
Kristen Legier (South Windsor, CT)

Jordan Letendre (Spencer, MA)
Jessica McGee (Adrian, MI)
Nana Yaw Oduro-Frempong (Accra,
Ghana)
Emiliano Omeri (Waterbury, CT)
Pratik Parikh (Garfield, NJ)
Kate Piwonski (Northfield, CT)
Jenna Poulin (Methuen, MA)
Bryan Regele (Rutland, MA)
Yohan Sachdev (Mumbai, India)
Garret Staples (Scarborough, ME)
Hope Stratford (Southampton, NY)
AJ Toto (Bedminster, NJ)
Johnny Wells (Bronx, NY)
Alicia Whalen (Easton, MA)
Kayla Wheaton (Reading, MA)