Fingerprints

The fiscal year 2001-02 marked the launch of a new scholarship fundraising program at AUB: Fingerprints. Met with much enthusiasm from both students and administration, this bold initiative enabled each graduating student to make a donation of $25 or more towards a new fund that would benefit students of the following years.

Primarily intended to strengthen the bonds of loyalty and unity between young alumni and their alma mater, Fingerprints proved to be a great success in its first year, with promise of further accomplishments in the future.

AUB Trustee Dr. Kamal Shair took on the initiative of sponsoring Fingerprints by meeting every dollar donated by students with $2. The University Students Faculty Committee (USFC) also generously supported the program with a similar two to one basis contribution.

The total donations collected amounted to $10,540 from 370 graduating students. This amount, in addition to its matching funds, was placed in an endowment fund that will be invested. The return on this investment will provide financial assistance to needy and qualified students at AUB. The names of these generous students will be engraved on a wall to be installed prominently on campus.

Student donors were also invited to a reception hosted by President Waterbury on July 10 at Marquand House. The heartening outcome of the program in its first year gives great hope that many more philanthropic young Fingerprints will be left at AUB over years to come.