Student Engagement

You are a Bryn Mawr student for just a few years, but an alum forever. During your time as a student, Alumnae/i Relations and Development seeks to engage you in the philanthropic life of the College and connect you with the Bryn Mawr alumnae/i network. Read below for more information about some of our student engagement programs, Give A Hoot Week and Passing the Lantern. 

Seniors: Alumnae/i Class Officer Nominations

In the spring of your senior year, students elect your first alumnae/i class officers, who represent your class in Reunion planning, the Alumnae Bulletin, and philanthropy. See below for more information about each position. Each role can be co-held. 

The nomination period for the Class of 2025 will open soon - stay tuned!

The President acts as the chief administrator for the class and is the representative of the class to the College and the Alumnae/i Relations and Development department. The Class President writes the annual letter, appoints alums to any vacant positions as needed, and oversees all class activities. The Class President will also organize and run at least one class board meeting per year, with class officers and volunteers, when the class is not in a reunion year. Yearly time commitment: 10 hours. Reunion years approximately 20 hours. 

The Reunion Manager serves as the liaison between the Alumnae/i Relations office and the class for the purpose of Reunion planning. The Reunion Manager forms and oversees the reunion committee and organizes and runs committee meetings. The Reunion Manger also devises and implements an outreach plan in order to reach every classmate personally about reunion, and often writes the reunion class letters. Reunion year: 25-30 hours. There are no additional commitments in non-Reunion years. 

The Class Chair encourages classmates to support Bryn Mawr annually. Responsibilities include written correspondence and personal outreach, as well as thanking donors and reaching out to disengaged classmates. The Class Chair works closely with the ARD Office. Yearly time commitment: 10 hours. Reunion years approximately 20 hours. 

The Class Notes Editor collects news from classmates and writes the bi-annual column for the Alumnae Bulletin (printed magazine). The Editor helps make sure the class list and contact information is current. Yearly time commitment: 10 hours. 

The GOLD Committee Class officer will serve on the larger GOLD Committee and represent her/his/their class when helping to plan events and programs like GOLD Month, Happy Friday Happy Hours, Networking Events, and other engagement opportunities specifically designed for recent graduates. The Committee has two co-chairs and is comprised of other GOLD alumnae/i. This is a three-year term commitment. Yearly time commitment: 15–20 hours. 

The Songmistress/master/mistex preserves class songs, writes new ones when necessary for Reunion and leads the class at Reunion Step Sings (must attend next Reunion). Reunion year: 7 hours. There are no additional commitments in non-Reunion years. 

Give A Hoot Week: March 24-26, 2025

An illustrative owl head in a heart on a yellow background, with the text "Give A Hoot Bryn Mawr. March 24-26, 2025"

 Give A Hoot represents the point in the school year when tuition ceases to cover the full cost of a BMC education and contributions from donors as well as other sources take over.

Participate in a variety of activities during the week to learn more about the time and dollars that support the Bryn Mawr community.

 

Seniors for Bryn Mawr: Passing the Lantern
All donors of $5 or more will receive an enamel lantern pin in their class color to symbolize all of the ways they light the way. 
All donors of $5 or more will receive an enamel lantern pin in their class color to symbolize all of the ways they light the way. 

Passing the Lantern

Members of the senior class have given back to Bryn Mawr in a campus tradition that has lasted for more than 30 years, since the Senior Gift program was inaugurated in 1990. In 2023, the program was reinvigorated and reimagined as Passing the Lantern - a new tradition of "passing the torch" to the classes behind you.

FAQs

Give a gift of , , or both to support the students in the classes behind you and those to come. Your advice will be distributed to the new incoming red class, the Class of 2029, during the First Year Welcome Ceremony, and your monetary donation will make it possible for future students to enjoy the same experiences you had on campus. 

When you make a gift, you have a choice of funds to support:

  • The Bryn Mawr Fund supports the entire campus community from financial aid and faculty funding to building maintenance. 
  • The Black Alumnae/i Fund funds internships for students who share a cultural background or personally identify with the African Diaspora.
  • The Student Assistance Fund helps cover unanticipated and emergency expenses for students.
  • The Student Accessibility Fund helps to ensure equal access to Bryn Mawr’s programs, activities, and services.
  •  gifts support student athletes and other needs of the Athletics programs.
  • Friends of the Library gifts support internships, exhibitions, lectures, special projects, and the continuous evolution of the Bryn Mawr College Libraries. 

Did you know?

  • The average annual cost to provide free laundry is $50,000.
  • The average annual cost to fund summer internships is $630,000.
  • The Bryn Mawr Fund aims to raise $6 million each year to help support the immediate needs of every student.

There are many different reasons someone may choose to give back to Bryn Mawr. Here are just a few:

  • Participate in a proud tradition of philanthropy, of any amount.
  • Enable the students in classes behind you to have the same financial aid, outstanding faculty, and programs that you had.
  • Be a part of funding the issues and programs you care about.

Questions about Passing the Lantern or Give A Hoot Week? Get in touch with Liz Horvath '20, Assistant Director of Student and Young Alumnae/i Engagement.

helfarian

Contact Us

Alumnae/i Relations and Development

Helfarian
101 North Merion Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Phone: 610-526-5532
Fax: 610-526-5228
bmcalum@brynmawr.edu