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2023 class gift established an endowed scholarship for SEAS students
![The SEAS Class of 2023, pictured in 2021 during orientation.](/sites/default/files/styles/news/public/2023-10/2021-class-photo.jpg?itok=l32er8NL)
The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) graduates have a longstanding tradition of leaving behind a class gift. For over 20 years, graduates have raised as much as $17,000, money that has gone to support special projects such as the greening of the Dana Building and the Decolonizing Curriculum initiative, or growing the SEAS emergency fund that students in need can access. But the Class of 2023 decided to try something different. Under the leadership of Kat Cameron (MS/MURP ’23) and the Class Gift Committee, they aimed to raise $25,000 from a larger pool of donors than ever before.
The goal was to raise enough to establish an endowed scholarship with the hope of easing the financial burden of graduate school for future SEAS students. “What inspired the Class Gift was watching many of my classmates struggle to cover the cost of their education during my three years at SEAS. Funding and fellowships are very competitive as a master’s student, and SEAS can’t create fellowships or GSI positions with the wave of a wand,” says Cameron.
It was no small feat convincing graduate students to give. Kat and the committee, which included Jill Shrader (MS ’23), Jeremiah Eaton (MS/MBA ’23), Alicia Kawamoto (MS ’23) and Daniela Tapia (MS/MSE ’23), were supported by nine additional SEAS students who volunteered to help personally reach out to graduating SEAS students. In addition, the Class Gift Committee gave away Class of ‘23 stickers to all donors and got creative with marketing including various memes and videos.
The fund drive saw record-breaking numbers of individual donors, more than doubling the numbers from previous years. 114 students contributed to the fund as well as 89 individuals who donated to match student gifts for a total of 203 donors. This included over 40 SEAS faculty and staff, as well as students from four other U-M schools and colleges.
Ultimately, the Class of 2023 raised $26,121 to establish SEAS’ first-ever class gift-endowed scholarship, and the fund was officially endowed as a scholarship in September. While, in this early stage, it’s a modest sum, the scholarship fund demonstrates the Class of 2023’s dedication to supporting future SEAS students. Cameron says she is grateful for all those who believed in her vision of a permanent scholarship fund. “It feels really amazing to watch your class and so many donors come together to pay it forward and leave this legacy.”
Beginning this spring, the fund will award $1,000 to a graduating SEAS student who has demonstrated need and may not have secured other funding. Students will be able to apply the funds towards their final semester of tuition or use it to cover housing and other expenses. The application will open this November to be awarded in the winter semester and honored at the annual SEAS Honors Awards Ceremony.
As an endowed fund, the Class of 2023’s gift will continue to grow over time, and eventually, provide more and larger scholarships.
Those interested in contributing to the fund may do so here, using the "SEAS Class of 2023 Scholarship Fund (Expendable) - 373105" field.
Questions? Email Kat Cameron.