SHSU seniors leave legacy for future classes via Senior Class Legacy scholarship
Published: Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Updated: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 01:09
 "Photo: Courtesy Meggan Thompson")
Courtesy Meggan Thompson
The 2013 Senior Class Legacy Committee includes (left to right) David Carraway, Melva Gomez, Amanda Koska, Mairead O’Hara, Brittiany Avery, Gabby Martin, Maria Hernandez, and Meredith Mohr.
A program at Sam Houston State University is looking to ease the financial burden for incoming students and encourage the benefit of giving back will kick off its annual campaign today.
The Senior Class Legacy program was founded by Meggan Thompson of University Advancement, as a way for senior students to give back to future students in the form of a scholarship.
The campaign for the class of 2013 will kick off today and will continue through April 2013. 100 percent of the donations collected will go toward the scholarship fund, which will be awarded the following year to a student at Sam Houston State University through Scholar X.
With the program, Thompson hopes to help pave the way for future students through the philanthropy of the senior class, an important lesson for students.
“The Senior Class Legacy program started as a way to promote a culture of giving among students,” said Thompson, who started the program last year. “This allows for students to learn about giving back to SHSU before they graduate.”
According to collegeportraits.org, 51 percent of 2011-12 full-time undergraduates at Sam Houston State University received need-based grants or scholarships with an average award for the year at $6,286.
With the amount of students receiving financial aid at SHSU, the staff in the Annual Giving Department is making a conscious effort to give an SHSU student a chance at thwarting the financial foe.
“We suggest a gift of $10 or more, but even a gift of $5 can help change the life of a current or future student,” Thompson said.
Students and alumni can donate any amount to the fund either online or by visiting room 120 in the Bobby K. Marks Administration building.
Students are encouraged to visit the Senior Class Legacy program at the Career Expo held in the Johnson Coliseum on Sept. 26 and the Senior Health Fair in the LSC mall area on Sept. 27.
For more information or to donate, visit www.shsu.edu/~ua_www/seniorgifts.html.
is a member of the 
