Class of 1951 Sweeps Awards with Record Gift

Perhaps the most impressive feat accomplished by the Centaurians of the Class of 1951 at the 2001 Alumni Weekend was breaking all existing records in alumni fund giving. The class not only set a new 50th reunion fund record by raising the largest class gift from a whopping 99.5% of the class, but they also managed to be the first class in Pomona's history to sweep the four reunion fund prizes.

The annual reunion fund awards, created in 1995, honor classes for their efforts and achievements in working to support the College. For achieving the highest percentage participation at 99.5%, the Centaurians won the Don P. Murdy Award, named in honor of 50th reunion fund chair for the Class of 1931 who led his class to be the first to achieve 100% participation. For the largest class gift of $546,226, the Class of 1951 won the President's Award. The Cecil Sagehen Award was given in honor of achieving 49.6%--the highest percentage increase in donors over the previous year. And for a 493% increase in dollars over the previous year, the class was honored with the Alumni Award.

As one of three reunion fund co-chairs, Phil Swan thanks his classmates and co-chairs, Dottie Shaver Decker and Darrell Glahn, for their cooperation and extraordinary efforts. "With a fund committee of 51 volunteers, wonderful event co-chairs, John and Janie Pendleton, who have chaired all of our reunions since we graduated, and an unusually cohesive class, we were able to do well for Pomona," said Swan.

For Richard Watkins, associate director of major gifts, the opportunity to work as a staff liaison with the Class of 1951 Fund Committee was an inspiration. "What I find most inspiring is they accomplished these things as volunteers, people who have full-time obligations, with family, careers and their communities," he said. "I applaud our Reunion Fund and Event volunteers for all that they do for the College, and I invite other alumni to take an active role in the life of this incredible community."