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The Giving Community

A Time to Say Thank You!

After they wrapped up spring semester exams, Duke Law students took the time to say “thanks” to the alumni and friends who contributed to their academic success and the strength of the Law School.  Twenty-two students surprised approximately 500 donors with personal calls of gratitude on May 9 and 10 during the second annual Thank-a-Thon.

“It’s nice to talk to the people who do so much for the School, even if we don’t know the specifics, because we see the effects of their gifts every single day,” says Madison Jones ‘11.

Thank-a-Thon volunteers on May 9: Rear: Andrew Hand, Brandon Myers, Robert McGuire, Madison Jones, Meg Turlington, Jennifer Feistritzer, Nir Shnaiderman, Andrew Perrin.  Front: Dean Brazier, Phil Rubin
Thank-a-Thon volunteers on May 9:
Rear: Andrew Hand, Brandon Myers, Robert McGuire, Madison Jones, Meg Turlington, Jennifer Feistritzer, Nir Shnaiderman, Andrew Perrin
Front: Dean Brazier, Phil Rubin

Students placed calls to donors who made leadership gifts and young alumni who made gifts during the past fiscal year, as well as to donors who made gifts to the Robinson O. Everett Professorship. Six students recruited peers to make calls. (See sidebar.) Students also mailed notes of thanks to international donors and friends.    

Jennifer Feistritzer ’11 has volunteered for the past two years. “It’s just fun to thank people…” she says.  “I look around and see how much has changed since I started. The Law Library and Star Commons have made a huge difference, and I have also seen the difference devoted alumni can make to an institution.”

Thank-a-Thon volunteers on May 10 Rear: Alex Bluebond, Eric Mattingly, Seth Reich, Jackson Eldridge, Madison Jones, Ebosetale Okojie, Abraham Smith; Middle: Meg Turlington, Emily May, Tatiana Sainati, Dan Sanchez; Front: Ellen Gilley, Maia Pelleg, Katherine Miller
Thank-a-Thon volunteers on May 10:
Rear: Alex Bluebond, Eric Mattingly, Seth Reich, Jackson Eldridge, Madison Jones, Ebosetale Okojie, Abraham Smith
Middle: Meg Turlington, Emily May, Tatiana Sainati, Dan Sanchez
Front: Ellen Gilley, Maia Pelleg, Katherine Miller

In order to prepare for the Thank-a-Thon, students attended a brief training session and learned about the many different funds donors support. From the Law School Annual Fund to professorships, fellowships, clinics, lectures, student events, journals, financial aid, Wintersession, the Dean’s Summer Service Grant, and the Bridge to Practice, many programs owe their presence, at least in part, to the commitment and support of alumni and friends.

Robert McGuire ’11 calls thanking donors directly the right thing to do. “In my life, many good things have happened when someone else has gone out of their way to be generous and it’s important for me to give back and keep the cycle going.”