Student Council's homecoming committee received a letter Tuesday evening informing them they will receive a $10,777.77 donation from the Seven Society, one of the University's most active secret societies.
The Seven Society's gift is in recognition of the committee's efforts to improve student-alumni relations and reinstate a homecoming tradition at the University. Student Council has been working to make this year's homecoming celebrations a more prominent event at the University.
The money is intended "to aid with the cost of planning and producing Friday night's activities for current students and young alumni," the letter said.
Homecoming committee members expressed their delight at the gift.
"We were beside ourselves -- we were so excited," Committee Co-Chair Kristin Trazc said.
Student Council member Rory Francisco received an e-mail instructing Student Council to go to a room in Newcomb Hall Tuesday at 7:30, where they found a wire and papier-mâché piñata in the shape of a seven hanging from a light fixture.
The Seven Society's monetary support only constituted part of the gift that the Seven Society bestowed on the homecoming committee, Committee Co-Chair Brigitte Hoyer said.
"Really, so much more than the money is knowing that we have the support of such a prestigious group," Hoyer said.
Hoyer said that while working on Homecoming plans this summer, the committee ran into many obstacles.
Searching for community and alumni connections, she and Trazc wrote a letter to the Seven Society stating the committee's hope of fostering student-alumni relations and a sense of school spirit. They left the letter on the Jefferson statue in front of the Rotunda, the traditional location for letters to the Seven Society. The Seven Society responded with the donation.
The money will go toward the Friday night homecoming event in Mad Bowl that will include a competition between student organizations, a speech from Coach Al Groh and the football captains, a beer and wine tent and a band.
The IMP Society gave the committee $1,000 the week before the Seven Society donation.
Hoyer said the quality of this event will be better than what they had imagined with the unexpected financial support. She also stressed because this is the first year for Homecoming celebrations, a successful event will mean more support in the future.
Trazc and Hoyer have been working on this project since last February with the collaboration of many University organizations, including Alumni Hall, the Athletic Department, the Inter-Fraternity and Inter-Sorority Councils and the University Programs Council.
Hoyar and Trazc both said they had hoped to establish a stronger homecoming tradition upon their arrival at the University, and expressed excitement that their goal is being realized.
Student Council President Daisy Lundy also said she was thrilled with the gift.
"Thank you, Seven Society -- Student Council is extremely honored and excited about the generous donation the Seven Society made to support our community homecoming celebration," Lundy said.
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