Park Scholarships sixth annual March Madness student giving campaign had extremely impressive results. The March Madness campaign challenges current Park Scholars to give back to the program, and it is intended to fuel friendly competition between the four current Park classes and generate financial support for the Park Scholarships program. Each class was challenged to reach 100% class participation this year.
The Park Philanthropy Council once again coordinated the competition. However, this year, they decided to add a new component to the challenge — asking families of Park Scholars to join in on donating.
A total of 95% of current Park Scholars gave back to the program, which is a significant increase from the 82% that gave during the 2017 competition and 51% that gave in the first year of the competition in 2013. In addition, 41% of Park families donated during this year’s competition. Park Scholars and friends are demonstrating just how passionate they are about giving back to the program.
“Every year we keep increasing the percentage of current Park Scholars giving to the Endowment, which is amazing to see. Their support shows the trust they have in this program, and their dedication to it,” said Claire Mellott ’20, chair of the Park Philanthropy Council. “Park Scholars go off to create amazing change in the world, and donating to Park Scholarships is part of that change. Investing in this program and community helps expand the reach of the program and allows others to reach their full potential. I am so proud to work on the March Madness campaign and help current Park Scholars support this program.”
The Classes of 2018 and 2021 took the win, as both had 100% participation. Mallory Bryan ’21 commented on her class’ accomplishment, “When the Class of 2021 achieved 100% class participation in giving during Park Madness, it was a concrete demonstration of how much we value this program, especially during the transition period of our first year of college. Personally, I feel as if the Park community has given me exponentially more than I could ever give back, so giving is so natural, and I think our giving percentage reflects that most of my peers share the same sentiment.”
Matthew Traenkle ’21, a new member of the Park Philanthropy Council this year, expressed his interest in seeing giving grow in the coming years, “I enjoy being part of an organization that helps to promote student giving and emphasize the importance of increase the Park Scholarships endowments. I can’t wait to continue to encourage giving back, to communicate with alumni about their experiences in the program, and to involve them, as well.”
Story by Michael Evans ’21
posted 2018.05.30