by Maria Mulder

Staff Writer

In an effort to leave a lasting mark on Calvin's campus, the senior class annually gives the college a gift upon graduation.

This year, the students decided to contribute to the campus expansion program occurring across the Beltline.

The donated funds will be intended for a lighted Calvin College sign that will be placed on the new pedestrian bridge. A plaque will be hung in the seating area of the bridge, acknowledging the class of 2002's gift.

The process of choosing a gift began in the fall. A group of five seniors were chosen by the development office as they had been recommended by other departments and individuals for showing leadership skills.

This year's group consisted of Berniz Constanza, Courtney Hoekstra, Seth McCormick, Matteah Spencer and Michelle Visser.

Choosing a list of projects for the seniors to select from was their first task.

Each year, the group receives ideas from Jim McKenzie of Student Academic Services, Vice President for Administration, Finance and Informaiton Services Henry DeVries and Frank Gorman, campus architect.

The recommendations they made represented the needs of the campus that they saw.

In addition to the lighted sign, the student committee narrowed down the list this year to include an outdoor solar system model and new furniture for the library lobby, in addition to the lighted sign.

The three choices were presented and voted on via Student News.

Robin Bright, who coordinated this project from the Development office said, ``The students chose the sign as a more visible project that they can be associated with. They have chosen this to be their legacy.''

In addition to providing this list, the Senior Gift Student Committee is also asked to motivate others seniors to contribute.

This seems to be the biggest challenge of the project.

When asked if she was planning on contributing to the gift, one senior replied, ``I didn't have enough money to buy my books this semester, so I don't think so.''

``It's hard to get them thrilled about giving,'' Bright said.

Committee member, Courtney Hoekstra added, ``Part of the idea of the senior gift is to start to get students thinking about giving to Calvin -- not to receive anything in return -- but simply to give back to the school.''

Hoekstra feels that the gift-giving is somewhat misunderstood.

``Donating to help cover the cost of the sign on the crosswalk is a way to participate as a class in giving something back to Calvin,'' she said.

``As a committee, we aren't looking to take in hundreds of dollars from each student; any gift counts and we appreciate the willingness of students to participate, even if all they can afford is a few dollars,'' she added.

The campaign to inform the students of this project began in the beginning of February when brochures were sent out.

The committee suggests a donation of $20.02 in honor of the class, but is accepting amounts of any size. The form accompanying the brochure also allows for students to make a monetary pledge that need not be filled until the end of the calendar year. If they wish to give in the immediate future, donations will be accepted at Senior Salute on Feb. 19 and 20.

Previous class gifts have included such things as providing accessibility to areas on campus, such as the Ecosystem Preserve, as well as security measures in the form of phones. Last year's gift, accessibility to the library lobby fireplace area, has still not been constructed.

Sufficient money was raised but other problems have hindered it from even beginning. Construction should begin sometime in the spring.