Two classes make record reunion gifts

Two classes broke contribution records with their reunion gifts to the University over the summer, donating a combined $5 million. Penn Fund Director Jerry Condon said in May that he counts on 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 to the University. Penn will use part of the money to renovate a room in Houston Hall, as well as for a restricted gift to 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. The $2,195,000 raised by the class will be used to renovate the Class of 1962 walkway, which extends from the Quadrangle to Locust Walk, as well as for an endowed scholarship fund. Other reunion classes also contributed significantly to the University's development efforts, though they did not break records. For its 25th reunion gift, the Class of 1972 donated $1,302,000 to renovate Houston Hall's Benjamin Franklin room, as well as for several endowed scholarships. The Class of 1932 presented the University with a check for 454,000 in unrestricted funds as its 65th reunion gift to the University. The 60th reunion of the Class of 1937 raised $389,000 towards renovation of the Class of 1937 study center on the fifth floor of the Van Pelt Library, as well as an endowed scholarship in honor of their classmate Walter Gallagher. The Class of 1942, which celebrated its 55th reunion over Alumni Weekend, gave the University $745,000 in endowed scholarships funds. For its 45th reunion gift to the University, the Class of 1962 donated $1,901,000 towards the construction of a new study center in Van Pelt and a scholarship fund. As its 40th reunion gift, the Class of 1957 donated over $1 million for restoring part of the second floor of Houston Hall, while the Class of 1967 donated $876,000 as its 30th reunion gift to the University. The money will go towards Van Pelt's Class of 1967 lounge and Marion Anderson Music Study Center, as well as towards several endowed scholarship funds. The classes of 1977, 1982, 1987 and 1992 presented the University with $557,000, $325,000, $162,000 and $27,000, respectively. Additionally, the Class of 1997 -- the University's newest alumni -- raised $8,600 for a Class of 1997 study center in Houston Hall.