As the anticipation builds for our 50th reunion at Bryn Mawr, I can’t help but feel a rush of excitement thinking about the cherished moments we’ll share with old friends and the new connections we’ll forge with classmates we may not have known well during our time on campus.There’s something truly magical about these reunions – from sharing stories in the dorm room affectionately known as “the smoker” to enjoying dinners under the canopies on Merion Green, every moment is filled with laughter, camaraderie, and nostalgia.
Giving Back
But, beyond the joy of reminiscing, our reunion also presents a unique opportunity to give back to our alma mater. While Cynthia and Mae are busy planning, the Class Gift Committee (myself, Gale Rutan, Verneda Lights and Mae O’Brien) have been working hard to organize the fundraising campaign. As you probably know, in mid-March, ten of our classmates issued a Challenge to the rest of us to raise $139,000 ($1,000 for every year of the College’s existence) to match an equal amount that they have set aside.
We also launched a dedicated website for the Challenge, where you can make your donation and track our progress as we work towards our fundraising goal. It’s a chance for each of us to show our support for Bryn Mawr and leave a lasting legacy for future generations of students. So, let’s mark our calendars, spread the word, and come together to make our 50th reunion an unforgettable celebration of friendship, memories, and the enduring spirit of Bryn Mawr.
New Fundraising Website
Last week, we were given a new link to the website we launched March 18, where the Challenge is taking place. You will want to visit it regularly, not just to donate, but also to watch the total increase as we inch toward our goal. If the hyperlink doesn’t work for you, just copy and paste the full URL into your browser:
https://www.givecampus.com/schools/BrynMawrCollege/reunion-2024/pages/1974
Why are we sharing this new link? Well, the one we shared previously turned out to require a lot of fussing by Bryn Mawr staff to get things posted. This new one makes it much easier for staff, meaning we get donors’ names and the revised total each time someone participates posted much faster. All donors are listed on the site, but you have to scroll down to the bottom to see them. The list of Most Recent Donors keeps changing as new people contribute, but everyone else is there if you click the blue “View All Donors” button.
EXCEPT, we must note one HUGE omission from that list: the group who issued the Challenge in the first place! That is, the ten classmates who collectively set aside $139,000 and urged the rest of us to match that amount.
How did this happen? A miscommunication when we set up the site. We are working to remedy the situation. Meanwhile, let’s take this opportunity to list them here.
MANY THANKS to (in alphabetical order):
Cynthia Perry Barth
Alida Evans
Rhea Graham
Joyce Hansen
Claire Ross
Joanna Rom
Lyn Befarah Schoenfeld
Karen Talmadge
and two others who want to remain Anonymous.
The Challengers will soon be listed on the website to which the link is posted above when the very busy Bryn Mawr staff (who build and maintain these websites for all Reunion classes who desire them), are able to get in there and post them.
I can’t wait to see you all on campus!
Warm regards,
Carrie
PS: You may have noticed the wonderful art we are sharing here and in our Facebook posts, as well as the thank you emails that donors get. It’s all done by Verneda (Rikki) Lights, who has generously donated her artistic skills and other time and energy to this fundraising effort. Special thanks to Rikki!