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Senior gift participation increased by 1 percent this year, making it the highest participation rate in recent memory. President Fred Lawrence lauded the class in a faculty meeting last Thursday, saying that senior gifts were an excellent way to begin the habit of giving to the alma mater. The gifts were of various sizes—anywhere from $1 upward—but dollar amounts, according to Lawrence, were not the point of the senior gift drive. The point was to ensure that the class participated. While rates only increased a single percent this year, from 71 to 72 percent, the number is far higher than previous classes: 2010 saw 56 percent of the senior class give, 2004 42 percent, and 2002 only 12 percent of the graduating class give senior gifts.

According to the Alumni Development website, senior gifts allow the university to cover a “hidden scholarship” of approximately $10,000, the difference between charged tuition and the cost to the university. Support of the Annual Fund, claims the Development Office, allows the university to offer 70 percent of its students financial aid.