The Senior Class memorializes classmate with a gift that keeps on giving

The Senior Class gift is a longstanding tradition at the Mount that unites seniors and their families in an effort to create a tribute to the great memories and the unparalleled education that Mount St. Mary’s has provided.  Past gifts have included campus beautification projects, financial aid and scholarships. 

This year, the senior class is raising support for an endowed scholarship.  This scholarship is named after Nicole Spencer, a 2009 classmate who was tragically killed in an automobile accident the summer before her senior year. 

The Senior class has set an ambitious goal of $25,000 for this year.  They will then have five years to raise an additional $25,000 to meet the minimum amount of $50,000 needed for an endowed scholarship.  At their fifth reunion, they will formally announce the first recipient of The Class of 2009, Nicole Spencer Memorial Scholarship. 

“Nicole was a special person,” says Senior Deanna Fennekohl.  “It was obvious she loved the Mount, loved being a part of the student ministries program and was looking forward to a life of teaching.  We miss her, but we are excited to be able to do something like this to honor her and her family.”

In honor of Nicole’s desire to be a teacher, devotion to her faith and involvement in student ministries, the endowed scholarship will go to an incoming freshman who holds similar desires and values. 

“We hope we raise enough money for this to be a big scholarship.  I think Nicole would like to see someone with similar goals and values have the ability to attend this school because of scholarship money,” says Deanna.

The Senior Class Gift Committee has been very busy fundraising this year.  They have already hosted two socials in Horning Lounge, sold Class t-shirts in the Academic Center and have personally asked their peers to make gifts as well.  The Committee is scheduling more opportunities to share their cause with the Mount community this semester.  To date, the class has raised more than $22,000.   

In addition to the hard work done on campus, the Spencer family recently hosted a memorial golf tournament to raise money in their daughter's honor.  On June 7, 2009 the Nicole M. Spencer Memorial Golf Tournament was held at the Lehman Golf Club in Dallas, PA.  Because of the overwhelming generosity of friends, family, local and Mount community members, the golf tournament raised an additional $17,700. This brings the Nicole M. Spencer Memorial Scholarship to within $10,000 of the $50,000 goal!  Congratulations to everyone on their hard work. 

The total money raised is now up to $40,690.05 from students, parents, friends and family.  The class participation rate is 22.64%!  Keep up the good work everyone!!

SENIOR CLASS GIFT HONOR ROLL: