MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — The members of the Middlebury College Class of 2007, who graduated on Sunday, May 27, have decided to call their senior class gift the Green Fund.
Money from the Green Fund will support the College’s environmental projects, including sustainable campus initiatives, such as energy efficiency and alternative energy measures that will move the College closer to its goal of carbon neutrality. The fund will also enhance experiential learning opportunities related to the environment, and the program in environmental studies.
“By supporting environmental initiatives,” said Ronald D. Liebowitz, president of Middlebury, “the students are demonstrating their commitment to the betterment of the Middlebury College community and to the environment, which has long been and continues to be an important priority at the College.”
The efforts of the Class of 2007, continuing the senior class gift program at Middlebury that's now in its 27th year, were supported by an anonymous donor who pledged to give $100 for every senior who made a donation. This brought the total raised by the class, as of commencement weekend, to $92,577, contributed by 469 students ― a record 89 percent of the May graduates ― and a significant number of parents, friends, faculty and staff.
Said Liebowitz, “The College gratefully acknowledges the generous commitment of so many members of the Middlebury community. Special thanks go to the co-chairs of the Gift Committee ― Evan Harris and Allie Frey ― and to the co-chairs of the Senior Celebration Committee ― Brett Swenson and Leigh Polfer.
“The College accepts this gift with gratitude. Through it, the spirit of your class will be remembered and appreciated by those who come after you.”