Alumni celebrating a reunion are encouraged to make a special gift to Shipley to commemorate their reunion milestone. The Shipley Alumni Association presents two giving awards during Alumni Reunion Weekend: the Reunion Giving Award, to the class with the highest amount contributed, and the Class of 1948 Margaret Bailey Speer Award, to the class with the highest participation percentage in giving. This year, the Class of 1972 earned both awards in celebration of its 50th Reunion, with a total class contribution of $115,708 and a participation rate of 54% as of the start of the weekend on April 29.

Of the total class contribution, $101,576 is earmarked to establish an endowment fund to support full access for Shipley students with high financial need.

The endowed fund will not only benefit the students and families who draw on it each year, but also has the potential to foster a sense of equity and belonging by allowing all members of the Shipley community to participate in building the fund, according to their ability. Its existence and continual promotion will remind alumni, families, and students that we can all be part of making the full Shipley experience accessible to everyone.

Congratulations and thank you to the Class of 1972 for demonstrating such generosity and leadership during their milestone year!