Classes of 2009, 1959 enhance Alumni Green
May 11, 2009
When senior class president Lucy Christenberry and senior class representative Ashley McCollum met to begin brainstorming about the class of 2009’s senior class gift, their discussions lead them straight to Alumni Green.
Affectionately referred to as “Hose Henge,” Alumni Green was started by the senior class of 2008 and the 50th alumni reunion class of 1958. The tall graceful columns surrounded by brick and nestled in a sea of green under the old oaks of West Plaza are inviting to all, but could be even more so, McCollum noted.
“This is such a beautiful and prominent spot,” she said, “one that is the center of events on this end of campus from alumni gatherings at Homecoming to graduation receptions, or just a spot to pause and reflect during a busy day. We love what it stands for and wanted to add to the experience in our own way.”
“It is a wonderful place to visit, and we wanted to make it even more conducive to visitors,” Christenberry added. “We need places for people to walk, sit and talk, and lights so it can be seen at night.”
Fellow classmates and senior representatives Janna Cone, Callie Price, and Jim Todd, agreed. Raising money in a hectic senior year and particularly one not known for its economic largesse was interesting, they say.
“We began,” Price said,” with the annual El Jalisco dinner at the President’s house last fall and asked folk to pledge. In the spring, we hosted a Grapes at the Gallery wine tasting with alumna Mary Ann Hardman, PC class of 1990.”
At the spring event, senior class members were identified by individual name tags, some with ribbons, and some without.
“The ribbons were a fun surprise,” McCollum said. “Since no one knew when they arrived exactly what the ribbons meant, they all went around asking each other. It was a great way to say thanks to those that had given by putting a ribbon on their tag, and to say please give to those that didn’t have one.”
So far eighty-four members of the 2009 class have given in support of the enhancements of the Green at the $150, $200, or $300 level for a total of $16,550. Eight members of the class that graduated 50 years ago, the class of 1959, have joined the project with gifts of their own, bringing the total raised to $17,550.
Assistant director of alumni and admissions Lindsey Spires says the class of 2009 also added an extra twist to their gift that is quite special.
“The students noticed there were other projects from recent years that weren’t finished, so they asked folk to give to both,” Spires said. “Not only will their gifts complete this phase of Alumni Green, it completes the funding for the first phase as well. That is something you don’t see every day and an indicator of what we mean when we talk about the PC spirit and that sense of leading and serving. These students were willing to complete something someone else had started. That is how great things are truly done, with helping hands stepping in along the way.”
The class of 2009 presented their gift to the college community on Friday, May 8. Each student who made a gift walked away with a special keepsake- a brick with his or her name on it to complement the ones that will line the sidewalks with their names as well.
Christenberry is proud not only of the work that went into the project, but the wording of the plaque that will remain behind for all to see, wording that after Saturday the class of 2009 will read in their new role as alumni:
“The lighting and benches, along with the bricks purchased by members of the classes of 1959 and 2009, were a part of a joint fundraising effort from these two groups. Together, these classes raised over $17,000. The class of 2009 thanks their fellow alumni for all of their contributions that helped make their senior class gift so substantial and meaningful.”
Contact us
To learn about how you can add your name on a brick at Alumni Green, contact
Lindsey Spires
Assistant Director of Alumni, Admissions and Alumni Programs
ljspires@presby.edu
(864) 833-8637