Class of 1970 Responds to 35th Reunion Gift Challenge

September 15, 2005

The Class of 1970, in a tremendous show of support for Wesleyan, gave over $4 million to the University in commemoration of its 35^th class reunion. An anonymous donor from the class galvanized support for the reunion gift by offering to give an additional $150,000 if class members could raise that same amount by June 30.

“The anonymous donor was truly able to motivate classmates to step up their giving through this generous challenge,” Robert Mosca, an associate director of the Annual Fund. "Wesleyan will build upon the momentum and success of this project by encouraging other classes to use these types of challenges to increase their peers' annual giving.”

Included in the 35th reunion gift was $315,802 in donations and pledges to the Wesleyan Annual Fund, setting a new benchmark for WAF dollars raised and total gifts from a 35th reunion class. The funds generated by the Class of 1970’s 35^th reunion challenge will bolster financial aid, faculty recruitment and support, sustaining Wesleyan's need-blind admission policy, and other University priorities.