Seniors got a sneak peak at their class gift on College Green Friday afternoon, thanks to the Class of 2004 Senior Gift Drive Kick-Off Event Barbecue.
The event began at 5 p.m., when all seniors were invited to eat, drink and donate money for the construction of their class gift -- the 2004 Cafe Garden Courtyard.
The courtyard will be located outside of the Van Pelt Library, and will constitute the outdoor seating area for the library's new Mark's Cafe -- due to open at the end of the month. It will be the first senior gift that will be finished in time for the exiting class to enjoy while still on campus.
"It's fantastic," Senior Class Drive Co-Chairman Kunal Gupta said. "It's going to be finished in time for seniors to use. They will see the fruits of their contribution."
Elise Betz -- assistant director of the Penn Fund, which helps organize senior class gift drives -- encouraged the seniors to donate at least the minimum $5.
"A gift to Penn is a sign of appreciation to Penn," Betz said.
Her words were echoed by University President Judith Rodin.
"I want you to think of what has happened during your four years.... You are resting on the shoulders of those who came before you," Rodin said.
In an attempt to maximize the level of participation, Rodin announced her personal gift as exiting president to the Class of 2004 -- "for those of you who cannot afford to give $5, I will lend you the money, and you can give it back to Penn when you will have become successful, thanks to your Penn education."
Lastly, after thanking the Committee members for their work and enthusiasm, Rodin added, "I'm going out with you folks -- let's go out with a bang."
Administrators, students and faculty alike expressed enthusiasm about the gift.
"I think it's going to be great," University Library Development and External Affairs Director Adam Corson-Finnerty said, adding that he thought the gift would be a success among both students and faculty.
"It's amazing how much outdoor cafe culture has become popular in Philadelphia."
The money for the completion of the courtyard will come from seniors' donations, which in the end must total $60,000 for the project to be brought to term.
"I really think we're going to reach our goal of 50 percent participation," Betz said. "But we want to exceed that."
Betz added that this particular project was chosen by the volunteer gift committee members from among a series of plans that the University had already approved.
