By Kimberly Uslin
Elm Staff Writer
Photo Courtesy of Shannon Kirby
As members of the class of 2015 stepped into their dorm rooms for the first time this fall, they may have been surprised to find that there was something waiting for them there. This unexpected guest was Hamilton Pig, a little gray piggybank featuring the Washington College insignia.
Named for first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, the Hamilton Pig (affectionately nicknamed “Ham”) is both the symbol and focal point of the newly-implemented Hamilton Pig program at WC.
According to Washington Fund Assistant Director Meghan Cooney, the Hamilton Pig program is “an initiative that was started this year with the goal to start building a culture of philanthropy at the college.”
This year, each member of the Class of 2015 and various other members of the campus community were given the piggy bank with the hope that they will fill it with donations for the Washington Fund. These donations are to be collected during “Round Ups,” which are essentially themed parties where students can get together and socialize while emptying their Hams.
Cooney hopes that the idea of enjoying oneself while donating to the Washington Fund will be well-received by the campus community.
“Philanthropy is fun and can be beneficial to you,” she said. “Ham is about doing a good thing and having fun while doing it.”
The Washington Fund is the annual fund for the college that students, parents, and friends of WC contribute to each year.
“The Fund helps to pay for the college’s most pressing needs, which generally consist of student scholarships,” said Rebekah Hardy, Washington Fund director.
In beginning the philanthropic process immediately, Hardy hopes that students will better understand the need to contribute to the Fund.
“The idea is to start because you’re here now and are physically experiencing all the things that other alumni and donors have given donations toward. You’re benefitting from it directly right now,” Hardy said.
The idea for the Hamilton Pig program began last year when President Mitchell Reiss came to WC and noted a distinctive lack in the presence of philanthropy and alumni involvement on campus. Other colleges have implemented piggy bank campaigns and the College Advancement and Student Affairs offices believed the campaign could be beneficial to WC as well.
The program came together over the past summer and was specifically geared toward first-year students because it was expected to have the greatest effect upon them. Its implementation, however, did not go as smoothly as anticipated due to Hurricane Irene and the interruption of freshman orientation. Programming had been planned to introduce and generate excitement about Hamilton Pig, but it was postponed and never rescheduled.
“The big unveiling was not as big as we’d hoped it would be, but we hope this won’t have a negative effect on the campaign,” said Cooney. “We have never had anything like this before, so we have nothing to compare it to. My hope is that Ham won’t be something that is just connected with the Advancement Office. It will be a grandfathered program in which each incoming class will get a pig. Hopefully, Ham will be something that students will make their own.”
While a culture of philanthropy is essential to a small, private institution like WC, some students may not wish to donate additional funds when tuition is expensive already.
“As a WC graduate,” said Hardy, “the first thing I can say is that it’s expensive to attend WC, but the value of a WC education so outweighs that expense.”
A WC education actually costs 25 percent more than the cost of tuition, and donations to the Washington Fund can help to cover those expenses in addition to sponsoring scholarships. Donations to the Fund don’t have to break the bank, however. The motto of the Hamilton Pig program is “A little change can make a pig difference,” and Cooney wants students to understand that even a small donation can have profound effects.
“Five pennies is great,” she said. “Any amount is great. This program is about having fun and giving back what you can afford to give. We want it to be a choice, not something to be disgruntled about.”
While there has not been much opportunity for feedback thus far, the Advancement Office is open to the opinions and input of students regarding the program. The program has a Facebook page, and students can e-mail Iheart_hamilton@washcoll.edu with questions, comments, or concerns. The first Round Up will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at the fire pit outside of Dorchester. The theme is “Halloweenie Roast,” and there will be marshmallow and hot dog roasting. The program is open to everyone.