Devils' Advocates
Thanks for Giving gave the Dickinson community plenty of opportunities to give thanks. Students, alumni, faculty and staff wrote what they were thankful for on chalkboards and pumpkins that were displayed throughout the HUB Social Hall. Photo by Phil Morabito '17.
New student group makes case for philanthropy
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.
“It 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,” said Katie Henwood ’15, one of 29 student-leaders who helped plan and promote the event.
Students, staff members and alumni swapped Dickinson memories throughout the evening—Senior Associate Director of Admissions Gregory Moyer ’06 delivered an eloquent toast on the subject—and made a few new ones, as they decorated pumpkins, made caramel apples, visited the photo booth and enjoyed live music, courtesy of the Crescendevils.
“Give back to create a college dedicated to ideals that are bigger than all of us," said Moyer. “Your gift tells the world that we believe in this place.”
“Going 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,” said student-leader Katelyn Eby ’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’ Advocates. Donations help build up the Dickinson Fund, which supports all aspects of the Dickinson experience. Events such as these provide “important opportunities for students to take ownership of their Dickinson education, and to be engaged in giving culture at Dickinson,” said Rebecca Shenton ’15, who will also help to promote a gift drive in the spring.
Devils’ Advocate Madison Alley ’16, who counts 13 Dickinson alumni in her family, is another impassioned champion for the cause. “The Dickinson Fund played a huge role in allowing me to accomplish everything that I have at Dickinson,” she said. “I wanted to share that realization, and my passion for Dickinson.”
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Published December 1, 2014