President’s challenge offers $4,000 to Senior Class Gift Drive

A challenge from President William G. Durden ’71 and his wife Elke could boost the Senior Class Gift Drive by an additional $4,000. Dubbed “Mission Possible,” the challenge will provide increasing amounts to the gift drive based on how many members of the class make a gift:

• If 50 percent of the senior class makes a gift, the Durdens will give $1,000.
• If 60 percent of the senior class makes a gift, the Durdens will give $2,000.
• If 70 percent of the senior class makes a gift, the Durdens will give $3,000.
• If 80 percent of the senior class makes a gift, the Durdens will give $4,000.

To emphasize how easy the challenge makes it to add thousands of dollars to the gift, Dickinson’s Red Devil even got in on the act, donning a Mission Impossible–style catsuit in the playful e-mail announcing the challenge to the senior class. Asking, “How much more possible can this mission get?” he told the seniors that rather than dropping into a vault with high-tension rope, they could grab $4,000 for their gift simply by making a gift themselves.

The challenge runs from March 17 through May 1. To track the class’s progress toward the challenge’s goals, visit the Senior Class Gift Drive Web site.