Students Recognized for Gift of Spirit-filled Windows
Two stained glass windows featuring the Buffalo State crest flank the front doors of the Campbell Student Union and illustrate the college spirit that permeates the campus. The spirit is a little more poignant when you consider that students in the Inter-Greek Association (IGA) collected nearly $4,000 during the 2013 all-student giving appeal to pay for the windows.
On Thursday, February 5, representatives of the sororities and fraternities responsible for collaboratively raising most of the money were officially recognized in a short ceremony inside the union. The ceremony was attended by several student- and campus-leaders. Former IGA President Julian Cepeda, '13, thanked the students, as did event emcee Jessica Newcombe, president of the Student Philanthropy Council (SPC), which coordinated the ceremony.
Kristen Catalano, assistant director of student life, who originated the idea for the windows, unveiled a plaque listing all the organizations that contributed. In 2013, Catalano said she thought that the appeal would fit nicely with IGA’s then newly created standards for excellence that focus on community service and philanthropy. In just a few months, the students raised money from various events along with donations of $125 per organization.
At the end of Thursday’s ceremony, Newcombe announced the start of the 2015 student giving campaign, which SPC will spearhead. With an iPad on hand, SPC members encouraged students to vote for which project they would like to fund.
Choices include: a new bus shelter on Grant Street; a new blue light phone station; student equipment for all five schools; additional bicycle racks, benches, and recycling receptacles; or another choice to be written in. The goal is to raise $4,000 by the end of March.