Having paid off a new cannon for the Corps of Cadets, the Class of 2015 Class Councils is seeking more funding for secondary class gifts.
Using the slogan “Fifteen for ’15,” Class Councils and the Association of Former Students have created a donation website so graduating students can donate $15 toward the cause and register as a member of the Association.
“The main idea behind ‘Fifteen for ’15’ is that we’re trying to get every student to feel more ownership in the class gift than they ever have before,” said 2015 Class President Paul Smith. “The end goal is that everybody would become a part of what we’re trying to do.”
The original class gift was the 105 mm Howitzer cannon, restored by the Museum of The American G.I. The Howitzer has been on campus since last semester, and was used by Parsons Mounted Cavalry for announcing touchdowns at home football games this past season.
Made for a 105 mm shell, the cannon was primarily used in World War II in both the European and Pacific theatres and, when loaded, has a range of seven miles.
For possible secondary gifts, Class Councils is looking into options that were listed on the ballot for the original class gift but that did not win, such as funding improvement to Student Counseling Services waiting areas or improving the crisis waiting areas in Cain Hall.
“We really want to start a tradition of giving with the Class of 2015,” said Alyssa Bailey, class gifts chair for 2015.
Another goal of the fundraiser is to make graduating students more aware of the available resources the Association has to offer, including the “Find An Aggie” search page, which connects former and current students.
Class Agent Meghan de Amaral said she doesn’t think students realize the potential the Association has to help them in their everyday lives and job searches.
“I do think there are plenty of untapped resources in [the Association of Former Students], and you can go to them to get help for anything, even making a logo for your business,” De Amaral said.
Smith said because the website is through the Association, members offered help with the web design.
“They were really excited about it, because not only does it give them the chance to interact with the students, but also whenever you make a donation to ‘Fifteen for ’15’ you automatically get registered as a member at the Association,” Smith said.
Kathryn Greenwade, vice president of the Association, said they were pleased to partner with the Class of 2015 as it encourages its classmates to give back to Texas A&M.
“In helping with this effort we think students will see how small gifts, when combined with those of other Aggies, can make a powerful difference on our campus,” Greenwade said. “The support the Association provides to Texas A&M is rooted in that principle, and we hope students will see the power of small gifts.”
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