CLAREMONT NOW

Class of '09 raises thousands

The Claremont McKenna College Class of 2009 in May raised more than $15,000 in donations and matching grants during the Senior Class Gift campaign.

The campaign concluded with a 98.4 percent participation rate and $5,897 raised, according to a college news release.

That amount, combined with Parent Network Challenge grants, brought the total amount of gift-funds raised by the class to $15,846.

The participation rate was a significant improvement from last year's 95 percent overall participation.

"The ideal goal is to reach 100 percent participation, and this year's campaign fell just four gifts shy of that mark," said Andrew Carrillo, senior associate director of annual giving.

Each year, CMC competes in The Claremont Colleges Senior Gift Competition, according to a college news release.

Carrillo said this year's winner - Pitzer College - achieved 100 percent participation from its senior class.

"A number of students expressed their appreciation for the education they were provided at CMC, designating their gifts to things like scholarships, athletics, institutes," Carrillo said.

"Many members of the class commemorated the class effort by making a gift of $62, representing the 62nd graduating class at CMC, the class of 2009."