On December 1 last year, Rutgers University–New Brunswick Honors College students gathered for their usual morning Coffee with the Deans, but it was no ordinary morning. It was the first-ever Rutgers Giving Day, and the students were ready to leap into action in support of the place they call home.
Krishna Varre, the vice president of the Honors College Student Advisory Board, was among these students. As Krishna saw it, Rutgers Giving Day was the Honors College’s chance to show the world what it stood for: helping students lead a life with purpose through service and philanthropy.
In the weeks leading up to Rutgers Giving Day, which brings the university community together in support of Rutgers causes, Krishna and other members of the Student Advisory Board spread the spirit of philanthropy throughout the Honors College community. When Rutgers Giving Day finally arrived, they dashed around, knocking on doors and encouraging their friends to give.
“The notion of doing well by doing good is at the core of our curriculum," said Krista Klein, assistant dean of student affairs at the Honors College. "Rutgers Giving Day is an amazing opportunity for us to come together as a community to celebrate Rutgers and the act of giving."
To help drive the excitement, Honors College deans Matt Matsuda and Paul Gilmore presented the students with a friendly challenge; each dean would donate $250 if the students gave $500 collectively.
“It was incredible to see the deans, leading by example, showing us that we can lead as well,” said Krishna. “It was their way of saying, ‘You can do what we’re doing and make a difference.’”
The deans were not the only ones willing to go that extra mile on Rutgers Giving Day. Krishna and several other students got into the spirit by agreeing to be pied in the face for $5 donations. And it added up. The Honors College brought in more than $15,000 worth of gifts through Rutgers Giving Day alone.
In total, more than 120 Honors College students made gifts through Rutgers Giving Day, helping the Honors College capture the fourth spot on the Rutgers University–New Brunswick leaderboard. As a result, the Honors College was awarded an additional $1,600 in leaderboard challenge money, which goes directly to helping its students and programs.
The significance of this additional funding is not lost on the Honors College students who were actively involved in Rutgers Giving Day. Through their participation in the event, students learned that nearly everything at Rutgers—from the social innovation course they take as part of their Honors College education to the lounge areas where they mingle and exchange ideas—is supported by donors.
“Once you realize how much donors are involved in your education every day, a thank-you seems small in comparison to the level of support they give us,” Krishna said. “Donors are giving us not just an education but an experience, so we can go off and impact the world.”
As service-oriented donors themselves, this group of Honors College students has already begun making an impact right here at Rutgers. On the second annual Rutgers Giving Day, which takes place on Tuesday, November 29, Krishna and his friends will attempt to outdo themselves by bringing in even more support for the program that has changed their lives.
FULL SOURCE: University Foundation: Giving with Honors