Class of 2018 Honors Classmate’s Memory Through Senior Gift

The Class of 2018 honored Craig Sampson by raising over $32,000 for an endowed scholarship.

Endicott College’s Class of 2018 was determined to honor a dear friend and classmate, Craig Sampson, with a special senior class gift.

Following the results of a class-wide survey, the seniors set out to raise $10,000 in honor of Craig, who passed away in 2016, with a scholarship. Thanks to the generosity of the seniors and the entire Endicott community, that $10,000 goal was reached in no time, and the scholarship fund has exceeded $32,000 and achieved an endowed status.

“Craig was such a huge piece of our class with his energy and presence,” Class of 2018 President Chris Horack said. “We wanted to do something in his honor that would have a lasting impact at Endicott.”

Fundraising ideas included Senior Week proceeds, a shuffle board tournament at Gully’s, a money jar at Gully’s, an ice cream social, a car wash, and Countdown to Commencement ticket sales. In all, 511 members of the Class of 2018 contributed toward the gift, and they further honored Craig with an open seat at 2018 Commencement.

“We didn’t want to set the goal too high, and we thought $10,000 was reasonable,” Horack said. “The class officers were talking about endowment, though. We felt like people were super receptive.”

Thanks to the Class of 2018, as well as many members of Craig’s family and friends, this scholarship will help students in need for years to come and honor their beloved classmate in the process.

“It showed that we are a class that can rally and come together,” Horack said. “Everyone pulls together and supports each other.”

The Class of 2018 senior gift will be dedicated Saturday, Sept. 22, during Homecoming Weekend 2018.

Learn more about ways to give to Endicott College.