Class of 2016 Launches Gift Campaign For Flag Poles At Pavillion

A simulation of the Pavilion at Ole Miss, with three flagpoles as gifts from the 2016 Senior Class.
Photo Courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

The 2016 Senior Class Gift Campaign officially launched as a surprise on Friday, October 9 at Square Jam. This year the gift will be a flagpole outside of the new basketball arena (known as the Pavillion) along with a plaque or brick that honors the Ole Miss class of 2016.

Mary Kate Berger, Class of 2016 Senior President, said the Pavilion is opening Jan 7, 2016, and the class of 2016 is the first Ole Miss class that will get to enjoy the Pavilion. “We’re the “flagship” seniors since we’ll be the first class to officially use and enjoy the Ole Miss Pavilion, so we wanted to our class gift to be a flagpole,” Berger said.

The goal for this year is to raise $10,000, and get fifty percent of the senior class to donate, which comes out to 2,100 seniors. The past couple of years the class gift hasn’t had near fifty percent of participation, according to Berger.

“Anyone can donate- alumni, parents, Ole Miss fans, you don’t have to be a senior to donate. The minimum donation is $5, but something really cool is you can donate $20.16, for 2016 class,” Berger said.

Simulation of inside the new Ole Miss Pavillion.
Photo Courtesy of: Ole Miss Athletics

There will also be a donor wall, and everyone who donates to the class gift will get their name placed on it.

The idea for the flagpole was a joint effort between Heather Neilson, Class Treasurer, Vivian Paris, Class Vice President, Mary Kate Berger and Ole Miss Athletics. Paris, Neilson and Berger knew they wanted to leave a unique legacy gift that would be recognizable over and over again.

“The flagpole is something that’s really leaving our legacy- Ole Miss fans, children, parents, students and alumni will be able to be apart of something that will be seen on every commencement, convocation, basketball games, and so much more. “

Photo Courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics

The class officers are hoping that people will give up at least $5 for the gift. “For the price of a cup of coffee, you can donate to something that will be seen by millions over the years. How cool will it be 20 years from now to go to an event at the Pavillion with your kids and say ‘I donated to leave my legacy at Ole Miss?’ We just want to stress to the seniors about how important it is to leave your legacy and get involved,” Berger said.

To donate visit https://ignite.olemiss.edu/project/987 or their twitter page https://twitter.com/UMSeniors2016.

Kathryn Winter is a social media specialist and staff reporter for hottytoddy.com. You can e-mail her at kathryn.winter@hottytoddy.com