March 11, 2013
There’s no doubt about it: alumni and friends are the backbone
of St. John’s. And during the University’s inaugural
Philanthropy Week: I <3 Alumni – a new initiative featuring
a week full of fun activities – students thanked St. John’s donors
for their generous support.
Photo gallery
“It came to our attention that there is an international
Philanthropy Day in February,” said Brianne Murphy ’13C, President
of the Student Alumni
Association (SAA). “So, the SAA got together and came up with a
number of unique ways that we could celebrate right here in Queens,
designed to raise awareness around campus for all that our alumni
contribute.”
Activities included: The Kick Off, in which members of the
SAA handed out “
Alumni Fun Facts” to other students; a bake sale raising funds
for student scholarships; a Thank-You Booth, allowing students to
write cards to alumni, showing their appreciation; and Storm
Search, where SAA Representatives interviewed and videotaped fellow
students, asking what “giving back” means to them.
“Everyone knows that our alumni help to fund the construction of
certain facilities – after all, there are buildings on campus with
names on them,” Murphy explained. “But, for example, I didn’t
realize that my grant to study abroad was made possible by donors.
I also didn’t realize that our alumni make possible countless
internships and service opportunities – it’s truly remarkable.
That’s why we were so proud of Philanthropy Week, because we made
all this information much more obvious to students.”
As a longtime member of the SAA, Murphy interacts with alumni on a
regular basis, representing the Office of Alumni Relations at
various events and functions. Elisa Douglas ’05C, Assistant
Director, Office of Alumni Relations, who serves as the
Administrative Advisor to the SAA, noted the importance of the SAA
and events like I <3 Alumni.
“Educating our students on the importance of our donors here at St.
John’s is a big part of what we hope to do,” Douglas explained.
“The SAA’s excitement and enthusiasm were contagious, and I think
it’s safe to say now that everyone on campus is grateful for our
alumni and friends.”