Class of 2025 Kicks Off Senior Class Engagement Campaign

Class of 2025 Kicks Off Senior Class Engagement Campaign

By Bowdoin News

Class agents kicked off the Senior Class Engagement Campaign on November 14 with the Senior Soiree in Mills Hall.

More than 150 members of the class enjoyed jazz music performed by Bowdoin students, a raffle for six VIP seat tickets to Commencement, a photo booth, and conversation with classmates and alumni over drinks and hors d'oeuvres provided by Bowdoin Dining.

The nine senior class agents-Oscar Calle, Catherine Cao, Evan Chapman, Austin Hiscoe, Zach Marchese, Ocean Park, Ben Turnball, Caroline Vauclain, and Chris Zhang-have been planning their campaign and launch event in collaboration with their staff liaison, Rachel Morse, assistant director of annual giving at Bowdoin, since late September.

(L. to r.) Senior class agents Zach Marchese, Ben Turnball, Austin Hiscoe, Chris Zhang, Rachel Morse (staff liaison), Oscar Calle, Evan Chapman, Ocean Park, Caroline Vauclain, Cath Cao

By the end of the event, fifty-two seniors made their first gift to Bowdoin-ten of them opting to join the 1794 Society with a prorated leadership gift of $50. "I am so proud of this group of energized and thoughtful seniors," Morse said. "Their 2025 Pays it Forward campaign is already 20 percent of the way to their donor goal-the earliest fundraising success of any senior class before them!"

"Being a senior class agent means more than just rallying support for donations," said Marchese. "It's about preparing ourselves to be the next generation of Bowdoin alumni, ensuring future Polar Bears have the same access to the opportunities we've had."

While Bowdoin's class agent program is more than one hundred years old, the senior class effort is only in its thirteenth year. Over time, the program has grown to incorporate both sophomore and junior class agents, who also work with the Office of Annual Giving.

In addition to encouraging seniors to make their first Alumni Fund gift, the program educates students about the difference between the endowment and operating gifts made through annual giving, highlights the resources available to alumni, and connects students with alumni and campus leaders.

"Thousands of alumni you'll never meet have shaped the many opportunities you've had and continue to have at Bowdoin, and it is a privilege to hold the door open for the Polar Bears coming after us," said Ocean Park '25.

For more information and to watch their progress, visit the Class of 2025's 2025 Pays it Forwardcampaign.

Published November 22, 2024