Looking back over our last four years together at Denison, I think we can all agree that Granville has become a second home to us. And what a home it has been. We’ve had some amazing times together. From the Slayter Sizzle during August O, to getting involved all over campus, to all of our Senior Events this year and then Senior Week, we leave our home here with a lot of great memories. Through our four years here we have truly understood what it means to be part of a community. Whether it is students supporting each other in the class room, on the athletic fields, or just in everyday life, we have always been there for each other in some way or another. This idea of community was incredibly valuable during this past year. At events, our class rallied to donate towards general scholarships and financial aid through the Annual Fund. Our donations help support the College's resources so Denison can continue to bring together a community of students like us. It is our great pleasure today to announce that our class truly did unite this year. We are extremely proud of our fundraising results and thank our classmates for their involvement and gifts. We have raised more than $6,500 with 52 percent of our class participating in the Senior Class Gift.

We would like to take this moment to thank those who helped us this year. Thank you to everyone involved with the Senior Class Gift Committee. If all the members of the Committee could please rise and be recognized for your hard work. Without you, none of this would have been possible. We also would like to extend our appreciation to the Denison University Alumni Council. Council members provided matching dollars as a challenge to our class to participate. We encourage you to read in your programs the list of seniors who have generously given to the Senior Class Gift this year. In addition, there is a list of those who we have given in honor or memory of, including faculty, staff, parents, and students. We would not be here for all of those people, for they have truly impacted our lives every step of the way. Lastly, we would like to express our thanks to Stephanie Sferra, our Senior Class Gift Advisor and Assistant Director of the Annual Fund. Through these efforts and gifts, our class has shown our dedication to Denison.  We are extremely thankful for all the gifts the College has given us, especially the chance to build a community throughout our years here. We hope to pay it forward on our own, as we become alumni.

Most of us have been financially supported by Denison and the Annual Fund, and that support comes in part from classes that have gone before us. These classes gave so that we could have the same opportunities and resources that they had. This way of giving back, both now and in the future, helps us to stay involved in this community that we will always be a part of. We hope that our Class continues to give back to Denison long after today.

Grads, good luck in your future pursuits and enjoy this day of celebration to the fullest. To all the mothers in audience Happy Mothers Day thank you so much for all you do and for sharing your day with us. Thanks Denison for a great four years!