Reprinted from the Harker Quarterly June 2010 issue

The senior class attended a lunch in late May to induct them into the Harker Alumni Association and acquaint them with the next portion of their Harker “K to Life” experience. In return, the class of 2010 already had something special to give back to the Harker community.

For their senior class gift, the class of 2010 organized and raised over $7,500 for the John Near Resource Center, located in Shah Hall (see page 49 for more.) The Jamal family doubled the amount raised through a unique and generous Annual Giving challenge match that matched dollar for dollar funds raised by the seniors. For the first time from any class, Class of 2010 senior class leaders reported they had 100 percent participation to their class gift.

At press time, alumni had raised over $11,500 for the Annual Giving Campaign. With the $7,500 raised by the class of 2010, the final total of over $19,000 raised by the two groups is a new record for both alumni and the senior class gift. The funds will be directed specifically to developing the John Near Resource Center. Located on the second floor of Shah Hall, the Center will house academic resources to encourage the pursuit of excellence in the field of history. In addition to the physical location, the Center will include a virtual presence, with resources online. The combined generosity of alumni and the senior class allows for the John Near Resource Center to open in time for the 2010-11 school year.

Near passed away last September after 31 years teaching at Harker. Daughter Casey Near ’06 was present at the seniors’ alumni induction lunch to thank them for their generous gift, and to speak about the benefits of being part of the Harker network. “I just graduated from college, but the Harker community is the one I’ll always come back to!” she said.