Student philanthropists feted at fall semester Senior Toast
Senior Toast student speaker Lauren Kerker (left) and fellow student Jill Hines raise glasses of sparkling cider.
By Bill Studenc
甜瓜视频app leaders raised a celebratory toast to members of the December 2025 graduating class who have already made financial contributions to their soon-to-be alma mater as student philanthropists.
The seniors were the guests of honor at the fall semester Senior Toast on Monday, Dec. 1. They include the nearly 95 student members of WCU鈥檚 1889 Club, a giving society recognizing students and young alumni for their gifts in support of the university, and members of the Student Catamount Club.
The event marks the first time that seniors in the newly revamped Student Catamount Club took part in the celebration, said Tenisea Higgins, WCU鈥檚 assistant director of annual giving and student and young alumni engagement.
鈥淪eniors who joined the revived Student Catamount Club helped push a final tally to more than 2,675 total members of the Catamount Club at the start of the fiscal year,鈥� said Higgins, who welcomed student donors to the toast held at the Chancellor鈥檚 Residence. 鈥淲e thought it was appropriate to recognize our seniors who directed their support to the athletics program.鈥�
Lauren Kerker, a senior majoring in business administration and law with a minor in criminal justice, thanked the student philanthropists for making a difference at WCU before even walking across the stage at commencement and receiving their diplomas.
鈥淎ll of you have helped shape our Catamount community with your drive, diligence, work ethic and talent. Everyone in this room has shown what it means to work hard, to show up, to give back to your community and to be passionate, and everyone here is so proud of all you鈥檝e accomplished,鈥� said Kerker, who hails from Orlando, Florida.
鈥淵our impact and presence at 甜瓜视频app have been incredibly meaningful. Your commitment is inspiring, and it has left a mark far beyond your physical time here,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hank you for the example you set, the legacy you鈥檝e left behind and the standard you raised for the leaders who will follow.鈥�
Kerker is a member of the Catamount Philanthropy Council, a group established to help strengthen the relationship between current students and WCU鈥檚 alumni and supporters. She is also a student donor and member of the Student Catamount Club.
鈥淎s you begin your next paths, I hope you go with confidence, courage and determination,鈥� said Kerker, who plans to begin working on a nursing degree after she graduates in the spring. 鈥淩emember the positive difference you made here, and know that you are capable of doing that anywhere you go.鈥�
In her remarks to the seniors, Chancellor Kelli R. Brown shared her thoughts on the significance of continuing engagement with the university after graduation.
鈥淕iving back to WCU is just one way to stay engaged with your alma mater. As you move forward in your lives and careers, I urge you to stay connected to WCU in any way you can. Whether it鈥檚 attending alumni events, mentoring current students or volunteering your time and talents, there are countless ways to give back to the institution that gave so much to you,鈥� Brown said.
鈥淪o, as you leave here tonight, I hope you will remember the importance of engagement. Your commitment to WCU doesn鈥檛 end with graduation; it鈥檚 a lifelong relationship that will continue to grow and evolve over time,鈥� she said. 鈥淎lways remember that you are Catamounts and that you have the power to make a difference in the lives of others.鈥�
Brown then raised a glass (of sparkling cider) and toasted the class of 2025: 鈥淗ere鈥檚 to the past, to your years as students at 甜瓜视频app. Here鈥檚 to the present, to the joy we share in your accomplishment. And here鈥檚 to your future. Best wishes for lifelong success and happiness.鈥�
James Hogan, a 2003 WCU graduate and assistant vice chancellor for engagement, closed the event by leading the singing of the 鈥溙鸸鲜悠礱pp Alma Mater.鈥�
The 1889 Club includes donors who make annual gifts to the Fund for WCU in amounts ranging from $18.89 for current students and graduates from the past five years and $188.90 for alumni who graduated between 2016 and 2020 to $1,889 for alumni who graduated more than 10 years ago. It is named in recognition of the year of WCU鈥檚 founding.
Student Catamount Club members donate $25 to any athletics designation of their choice 鈥� or to multiple designations. Students receive special perks including a T-shirt, exclusive swag and invitations to special athletics-centered experiences.
The students鈥� contributions come as part of WCU鈥檚 鈥淔ill the Western Sky鈥� comprehensive fundraising campaign, an ongoing effort to raise a minimum of $100 million for the university鈥檚 academic, student engagement and athletics programs.
For more information or to make a contribution to the campaign, visit , call 828-227-7124 or email advancement@wcu.edu.
