Many students who frequent Van Pelt Library have probably already utilized the Class of 2004's senior gift without even realizing it.
The first class to see its donations implemented during its final year at Penn, this year's outgoing seniors financed the outside terrace area adjacent to Mark's Cafe on the bottom floor of Van Pelt.
"The library sort of advanced the work in anticipation of the gift," Van Pelt Facilities Project Manager David Mowl said of the patio. In addition to the $32,000 worth of work that the Class of 2004's contributions covered, the class will also be sponsoring a further $16,000 for the enhancement of the area to the east of the library's main entrance.
"We will be renovating [the other patio outside of the undergraduate study center] and putting in new landscaping and shrubbery," Mowl said, estimating that the project will be completed by the onset of the coming academic year.
Additions to the area outside Mark's Cafe include enhanced lighting, a sheltered area provided by an overhang and an outdoor furniture set.
"There was no seating in the courtyard so it had become in some ways a space that wasn't readily used," said Chris Foley, associate director of development and external affairs for Van Pelt.
Foley said he believes the gift will benefit the Penn community.
"It provides an outdoor seating area for the cafe which we think students and faculty will really enjoy on the nicer days," he said.
The Class of 2004 joins four additional classes which are making donations to the library this year for their reunions, and over 15 other Quaker alumni who have supported the library in the past.
It's "very flattering that students who have not yet graduated have decided to support the library project and join that tradition," Foley said. "Without [the Class of 2003's] gift we wouldn't have been able to furnish that space, so we're very fortunate that they chose to support the library."
But the money that the Class of 2004 contributed to Penn is not restricted to the area that will eventually bear its signature gift drive plaque.
"Fifty-one percent goes to financial aid, 24 percent goes to academics, 16 percent goes toward student groups and 9 percent goes toward special initiatives," Senior Class President Meredith Seidel said of the distribution of the donations.
With over $41,000 already collected, Seidel said she anticipates a successful final tally.
"We set a goal this past August to raise $60,000 and get 60 percent participation," she said. Compared to last year's class, Seidel said her fellow seniors are "about 200 gifts ahead of where they were last year at this time."
Assistant Director of Student Development for the Penn Fund Elise Betz said the current numbers predict an extremely favorable outcome.
"There's no question in my mind that they're going to set new records," Betz said.
Betz also said she sees a correlation between the amount of money a class raises and its Penn pride.
"Every donor is kind of like a vote of confidence in Penn, saying 'I believe in this place, it's done so much for me and I'm going to give something back,'" she said. "It's a really nice way for the class to come together and leave something behind."
