'Leave Your Mark' Campaign Launches

02/20/2018 

Many SUNY Cortland seniors have already left a mark on campus. If all goes as planned, the collective spirit of the Class of 2018 will live on in the form of a bench in front of Memorial Library.

In addition, the Cortland College Foundation hopes its official 2018 “Leave Your Mark” campaign will help shape graduating students’ ideas of philanthropy well beyond a single fundraising project.

“We want to try and use this project to educate the Class of 2018 on the impact they can make at the College when they give back,” said Natasha McFadden, assistant director of The Cortland Fund.

The campaign’s goal is to raise $1,000 by December to support campus programming for future students.

If the students are successful, the ambitious gift will be recognized by a plaque that states, “Donated by Class of 2018.”  The plaque will be affixed to a bench placed on the grounds outside of the library following a construction project in late 2018 or early 2019.

“Leave Your Mark” follows the success of last year’s first campaign, also led by McFadden, in which the Class of 2017 named a garden section at the Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Parks Alumni House. Proceeds support the future upkeep of the facility, home to all Red Dragons whether students or alumni.

Seniors who have contributed to the campaign will be recognized at an exclusive, VIP event preceding Senior Send-Off on Thursday, May 3, at the Parks Alumni House.  

Contributors also will receive a gold “I left my mark” pin to wear at Commencement.

Student interns with The Cortland Fund will provide more information on how to get involved with the “Leave Your Mark” campaign at tables around campus on several occasions. They will make a pitch to May graduates at the 2018 Senior Send-Off and reach out to December 2018 graduates next fall.

To make a senior class gift at any time, students may visit RedDragonNetwork.org/2018gift.

Prepared by Communications Office writing intern Hannah Bistocchi