When Jessica Cunnington transferred to Syracuse University her sophomore year, she found exactly what she felt had been lacking at her former school — students who were as involved and ambitious as she.

‘I went to a school where I thought kids weren’t driven. It didn’t have the feel that this campus does. Here, everyone has goals,’ she said. Cunnington, a junior broadcast journalism major, transferred to SU after one year at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

After more than a year at SU, that energy on campus has fueled Cunnington’s desire to give back to the university for what it has given her. Cunnington, along with nine other students, is part of a new group that will promote philanthropy in the SU community.

Helene Kahn, a 2010 graduate of SU and development associate in SU’s Office of Development, handpicked the group of ten students. The group, which does not yet have an official name, will be the face of SU to alumni and potential donors and the face of philanthropy to the student body. But the group’s task is more daunting than simply promoting philanthropy — it’s trying to change the entire culture of SU.

Philanthropy has a broad definition, but the group will focus specifically on securing donations for the university and convincing students that giving back starts when they step on campus, not 20 years down the road when they’ve become successful, Kahn said.

The group has met once, and some of its members were in attendance for Friday’s announcement of Howie and Louise Phanstiel’s $20 million donation to the university.

Aside from Cunnington, the students in the group are Chelsea Damberg, Erik Bortz, Mollie Beach, Melissa Vargas, Matt Cohn, Zach Fisher, Luis Romo, Jonathan Leon and Merin Pasternak. Kahn approached students who have a wide representation from SU and come from a variety of racial and class backgrounds, she said.

Cunnington said when Kahn approached her to join the group, her first thought was, ‘Why hasn’t this been in place sooner?’

On being the face of SU to donors and alumni, Cunnington said it’s important for donors to see students when they come back to campus for events. There are groups of students, such as University 100, to represent the university, but there has never been a group of students specifically dedicated to promoting philanthropy and securing alumni donations, she said.

Alumni who haven’t been at SU for decades want to know what the university is like today from a student perspective, group members said.

‘When you’re an alum and you come back, you want to see students,’ said Damberg, a member of the group and junior broadcast journalism and policy studies major.

The group is still developing ideas on how to best promote philanthropy among the student body. Coming from a diverse range of campus groups and organizations, members will start by promoting it among their respective groups.

Students are often intimidated by the term ‘philanthropy’ because they connote it with large monetary donations, Kahn said.

‘The issue is money, but if you’re going to be attached (to SU) for the rest of your life, it shouldn’t be an issue,’ Cunnington said.

Different philanthropy campaigns, such as the senior class giving campaign, focus on participation, rather than monetary donation. If about 50 percent of the senior class was to each give $10, the campaign could raise $20,000.

Bortz, a member of the group and junior political philosophy major, said it’s important for students to realize giving back doesn’t always have to be in monetary terms. It can be ‘elbow grease’ as well, such as working in a volunteer event or helping fix up an old building. Today’s students have so many opportunities available because of the donations and work past generations have put in, he said. And it’s important for students to give back now so they can help make the dreams of future generations come true.

Philanthropy is something that’s never been heavily emphasized to students on campus, he said. On SU’s current level of student philanthropy, he said, ‘it’s not where it should be. In order to do this, we need to change the culture of our university.’

Kahn researched philanthropy programs at other universities and drew many of her ideas for the group from Texas A&M University and its student philanthropy group called ‘The Maroon Coats.’ The group is a highly respected group on the campus, known for its signature maroon blazers. SU’s group is brainstorming ideas for its own unique outfits that will distinguish them. Developing the prestige associated with The Maroon Coats at SU is one example of something that will take an entire culture shift.

Harvard University is another example of a school with a rich history of philanthropy and giving back. Writing a check at universities with a rich history of giving is more than just a donation, Cunnington said; it’s about an emotional connection. And that emotional connection is exactly what SU’s new group is trying to build.

It’s all about ‘giving back to where you came from,’ Cunnington said.

When Howie Phanstiel spoke to Friday’s crowd about his donation, he said when he left SU, he made a $50 donation and didn’t look back for 35 years. It wasn’t until later that he discovered that emotional connection that inspired him to give back.

Friday’s event on the Quad was just the first in many steps to promote the culture of philanthropy on campus. The celebration for the donation, the second-largest in SU history, showcased that giving back brings enthusiasm and excitement — a feeling Kahn hopes this group of students can generate on campus.

Said Kahn, ‘Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm.’

kronayne@syr.edu

Published on October 3, 2010 at 12:00 pm