by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
Dickinson students recently got into the spirit of the Thanksgiving season during the first Thanks for Giving. Held Nov. 20 in the HUB Social Hall, the event was co-organized by a newly formed Devils' Advocates student group, along with Dickinson staff, to encourage students and alumni to build on and strengthen community ties by sharing and giving thanks.
鈥淚t was a great way to bring together both alumni and current students to remind each other what it is about Dickinson that we love so much,鈥 said Katie Henwood 鈥15, one of 29 student-leaders who helped plan and promote the event.
Students, staff members and alumni swapped Dickinson memories throughout the evening鈥擲enior Associate Director of Admissions Gregory Moyer 鈥06 delivered an eloquent toast on the subject鈥攁nd made a few new ones, as they decorated pumpkins, made caramel apples, visited the photo booth and enjoyed live music, courtesy of the Crescendevils.
鈥淕ive back to create a college dedicated to ideals that are bigger than all of us," said Moyer. 鈥淵our gift tells the world that we believe in this place.鈥
鈥淕oing along with the theme of Thanksgiving, we also encouraged [participants] to contribute their own, personal gifts to the college as a way of showing their thankfulness for the opportunities that are presented to them here,鈥 said student-leader Katelyn Eby 鈥15. As she noted, staff members were on hand to help participants make online gifts on the spot, if they wished.
It was the first project put forth by the Devils鈥 Advocates. Donations help build up the Dickinson Fund, which supports all aspects of the Dickinson experience. Events such as these provide 鈥渋mportant opportunities for students to take ownership of their Dickinson education, and to be engaged in giving culture at Dickinson,鈥 said Rebecca Shenton 鈥15, who will also help to promote a gift drive in the spring.
Devils鈥 Advocate Madison Alley 鈥16, who counts 13 Dickinson alumni in her family, is another impassioned champion for the cause. 鈥淭he Dickinson Fund played a huge role in allowing me to accomplish everything that I have at Dickinson,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 wanted to share that realization, and my passion for Dickinson.鈥
Published December 1, 2014