Each year at Commencement, the graduating class presents the university with a unique and spirited gift. This year, members of the Class of 2015 have raised funds to support scholarships for members of the incoming Class of 2019 to participate in a Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond overnight trip of their choice.
“The Class of 2015 is pleased to announce that this year’s class gift is the first of its kind,” said Lisa DeCrescente, who serves as the Class of 2015 philanthropy chair. “We are creating a scholarship fund for the students of the incoming Class of 2019. This scholarship will extend these students the opportunity to attend the optional overnight Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond trips. These trips tend to be highlights for many of the students who have the opportunity to attend them, and forge new friendships as the newest class joins the Rensselaer community. In the spirit of philanthropy, the Class of 2015 would like to extend that opportunity to the next class at Rensselaer.”
The Class of 2015 is pleased to announce that this year’s class gift is the first of its kind. We are creating a scholarship fund for the students of the incoming Class of 2019. This scholarship will extend these students the opportunity to attend the optional overnight Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond trips.”—Lisa DeCrescente, Class of 2015 philanthropy chair
During the official Class of 2015 dedication ceremony, students also took time to write and leave behind personal notes for students who would receive the scholarships.
Thus far, 359 members of the Class of 2015 have raised more than $4,400 to support the project. In addition, 23 students became Patroons of Rensselaer with their gifts of $100 or more.
Past class gifts have included: the development of a sandstone seating area, new building and directional signage, and landscaping improvements in front of ’87 Gym; the creation of a “green roof” on the Rensselaer Union Bookstore; a clock in Hassan Quad; the stone Rensselaer sign at the corner of Sage Avenue and 15th Street; and a lounge space in the Game Room area of the Rensselaer Union, among others.
Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond (NRB) is the official continuation of student the orientation program that includes adventure/team building activities, historical/cultural programs, overnight trips and community service opportunities all designed to help students get to know one another.