Fountain Gets a Facelift from Class of 2008 The Graduating Class Gift is a way for graduates to say thank you and to help make Jacksonville University a better place for current and future students by supporting a gift of their class’ choice. With the highest participation ever, this year students decided to update the fountain outside of Davis Student Commons. Green Key is the sponsoring organization. Dr. Karen Jackson ‘89, the faculty adviser, said the idea evolved from a brainstorming session about gift possibilities. “The fountain is beautiful, high profile and generated a lot of excitement, both among the seniors and the underclassmen,” said Jackson. “It was comparable in cost to previous gifts because we got labor donated from the Art in Public Spaces class and Renaissance Pool and Spa.” Past graduating classes have given a gazebo near the dorms, couches for the library entrance and picnic tables. The gifting has only been resurrected in the past five years. The University
has been supportive of the efforts, matching funds in years past. This year is the first that all the necessary funds were raised by the group. “This year’s class raised the most money so far, more than $2,000,” said Jackson. “We also had the most graduate participation ever at more than 15%.” Jackson is a Green Key alumna and spent the summer of 1998 at Dartmouth University at a workshop. While on campus, she saw how the gifts there had such an impact. “Everywhere I went, you would see plaques recognizing the class gifts,” said Jackson. The students were proud to be a part of that institution. I wanted to bring that to JU.” The oldest continuously active organization on campus, Green Key’s alum founded the alumni association. Active membership is limited to 1% of the student body (currently 20 students). Fall 2008 29