Reunion classes give back to Penn

Two classes broke contribution records with their reunion gifts to the University over Alumni Weekend, according to Penn Fund Director Jerry Condon. Condon said he counts on the the reunion classes to lead the annual giving campaign, which he hopes will reach $7.4 million this year. The class of 1947 raised a record high $2,954,000 for its 50th reunion gift. The University will use part of the money to renovate a room in Houston Hall while another part is a restricted gift in support of the University Museum. The rest will go into an endowed scholarship fund. The class of 1962 donated the largest 35th reunion gift in the University's history. Part of the $2,195,000 that the class raised will enhance the class of 1962 walkway -- which runs between the main entrance to the Quadrangle and Locust Walk -- and the rest will go into an endowed scholarship fund. For it's 25th reunion gift, the class of 1972 raised $1,302,000 to renovate Benjamin Franklin room in Houston Hall and fund endowed scholarships. Condon said he appreciated the class of 1972 gift because he counts on the 25th reunion class to raise a million dollars, but the past few classes have fallen short of this goal. The class of 1932 presented the University with a check for $54,000 in unrestricted funds as its 65th reunion gift to the University. The 60th reunion class of 1937 raised $389,000 for additional construction on the class of 1937 study center on the fifth floor of the Van Pelt Library and an endowed scholarship in the name of their classmate Walter Gallagher. The class of 1942 -- which celebrated its 55th reunion over Alumni Weekend -- gave the University $754,500 in endowed scholarship funds, which will generate income on an annual basis. For its 45th reunion gift to the University, the class of 1952 raised $1,901,000. Condon said that the University will use part of the money to construct a class of 1952 study lounge in Van Pelt while the remainder will be put in a scholarship fund. The 40th reunion class of 1957 raised just over $1 million to fund a restoration project on the second floor of Houston Hall, while the class of 1997 -- the University's newest alumni -- raised $8,600 for a class of 1997 lounge in Houston Hall. The class of 1967 came up with an $876,000 30th reunion gift to the University. Some of the money will go toward the class of 1967 lounge and the Marian Anderson music study center in Van Pelt, while the rest will be added to the class of 1967 endowed scholarship fund. The classes of 1977, 1982, 1987 and 1992 -- celebrating their 20th, 15th, 10th and 5th reunions -- presented the University with checks for $557,000, $325,000, $162,000 and $27,000 in unrestricted funds, respectively.