Swimming with the seniors
President Ronald A. Crutcher made good on a bargain by joining members of the Class of 2009 in jumping into Peacock Pond–just as he promised he would do if their class reached its senior gift participation goal of 96 percent.
Most colleges try to keep students out of campus ponds. President Ronald A. Crutcher made good on a bargain by joining members of the Class of 2009 in jumping into Peacock Pond--just as he promised he would do if their class reached its senior gift participation goal of 96 percent.
The graduating class achieved 97 percent participation and more than $3,300 toward their class gift. The "big swim" took place on Thursday, May 14.
"Normally, I would not consider jumping into Peacock Pond; I prefer the pool," said President Crutcher. "However the Class of 2009 has done an outstanding job, pulling together to show their support for Wheaton. So I was more than willing to live up to my end of the bargain."
Lucia Rodezno, senior class president, worked on reaching this goal with class gift chairs Elsy Estevez and Sarah Mielbye, as part of the class council. They, along with a class council subcommittee of 12 students representing a cross-section of the student population, came up with the ways to reach out to the seniors and inform them about the class gift and the Peacock Pond challenge.
"It was a great incentive for seniors to give to the class gift," said Rodezno. "Not only did the president jump into the pond, but he jumped with us in celebration of our success. It speaks of the way the administration at Wheaton is willing to work with students in reaching goals and how education is a joint effort of several teams."
