The College of Science Spring 2021 Go for the Gold event received the largest Senior Class Fund donation since the event’s launch in 2015. Just shy of 150 graduating students from the College of Science each donated $20.21—an amount chosen in honor of their graduation year—to support student scholarships in the College of Science. The total of $3,093 surpassed the College’s fundraising goal by more than $1,000.

The Go for the Gold event (gold being the official color of the College of Science) is held prior to each graduation as a way to celebrate graduating students and provide them with their first opportunity to give back to the College. At the event, all students receive their gold tassels and graduation swag and they are invited to sign the annual graduation banner. While this year’s event was scaled down to accommodate social distancing measures in place at the time, the College plans to return to celebrating the graduates with food trucks, opportunities to write letters to a favorite professor, exit surveys and socializing with other graduates at future events. The event has been a big part of graduating students’ experience since 2015, and in 2018 the College of Science Development Team began to offer students the opportunity to donate to a Senior Class Fund.

“Go for the Gold is often the first time students are asked to give back to their college,” Donna Knotek, Director of Development for the College of Science, said. “It’s an opportunity for them to start their philanthropic journey as young alums.”

Students who make the choice to donate receive a green and gold cord to wear around their neck at graduation, signifying their participation in their Senior Class Fund and their dedication to philanthropy. This year’s donation total is enough to fund three College of Science scholarships. After an incredibly challenging year, students in the College of Science were more generous than ever.

“The best part for me is experiencing how generous and thoughtful the graduating seniors are,” Knotek said. “They are excited to have the opportunity to pay it forward to upcoming students in the College of Science who may need support to finish their studies. They often relay how thankful they are for the support they received during their time in the College of Science, and are eager to help someone else.”