This article was originally published in the fall 2012 Harker Quarterly.

Parents of Harker’s very first upper school graduating class in 2002 established the now annual tradition of a senior parent appreciation gift as a way of showing their thanks for their Harker experience.

“It was structured so that any incremental giving to the annual giving campaign over and above what a family had given during the previous year would go to fund a beautification project on campus,” explained Joe Rosenthal, executive director of advancement, noting that plaques have been placed in areas that have been beautified, commemorating each of the students’ families who participated in making that year’s senior parent gift.

Last year, the parents of the graduating class added a new feature to the tradition, requesting that the money be used to establish a class fund that will become part of the school’s general endowment. The 2012 Class Fund was established with their cumulative gifts of approximately $35,000.

“Alumni and alumni parents are welcome to continue to make gifts each year to their class funds as a part of their annual giving gifts. And students will thus be able to benefit from this generosity year after year in perpetuity,” said Rosenthal.