Supporting the Memory of a Classmate: The Class of 2013 Gives

By Ash Merscher ’08, Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Members of the student organization GROW hosted Mental Health Awareness Day on campus. The group works closely with the mission and funding from the Fund in Memory of David Blackett ’13. From left: Kathleen Carroll ’13, Emily Spiegel ’14, and Anu Atre ’13.

There are many traditions that influence the adventure of the CC experience. Some are academic, some are social, but few compare to that of the senior class gift. Each year, the senior class votes to support a specific area on campus, to make their mark, and leave their legacy. An education at Colorado College embraces an interactive lesson on philanthropy, including the importance of philanthropy to the college. Last academic year, the Class of 2013 decided to support the memory of their classmate, David Blackett ’13.

The Fund in Memory of David Blackett ’13 provides support for mental health awareness and suicide prevention through lectures and other educational programming. It also aims to increase awareness of mental health on campus and to decrease the stigma attached to it. This past year, the resources derived from the Fund were used in partnership with the on-campus Wellness Resource Center to host a collaborative art display project with Aspen Pointe, a local facility offering mental health and behavioral services. In the works for this academic year is a different project with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The funds will also continue to help the Wellness Resource Center, this time supporting student organizations that focus on mental health. One of these organizations is GROW, which has a mission to advocate for mental health concerns in the Colorado College community.

The Class of 2013 had a phenomenal year fundraising for their iconic senior class gift. The class members ended their undergraduate careers with a record-breaking fundraising year. Together, they raised $3,772.60, with a whopping 51 percent participation rate from their class. $2,415 of the money raised was generously matched by David Blackett’s family, increasing the total to $6,187.60. Congratulations to the Class of 2013 on their tremendous and heartfelt success with their senior class gift!

One of the missions of the Class of 2013 was to inspire others to give back to CC. The generous and continuous support from the college’s dynamic community of students, alumni, parents, and friends allows CC to provide programs like those sustained by the Fund in Memory of David Blackett ’13.

We hope that the Class of 2013 inspires you to make your gift to CC this year and in years to come.