What does the Senior Challenge gift support?

Senior Challenge gifts are put towards Marquette TODAY annual funding and can be designated for one of three funds: Blue and Gold, Marquette Fund, and Scholars Fund. Contributions to these annual funds are used immediately to meet urgent priorities as Marquette educates 11,000 students in the Jesuit educational tradition. In making annual gifts of support, donors can have an immediate and profound impact on today’s students and faculty.

How much should I give?

In honor of your graduation year, a $20.08 donation is suggested. There is no minimum gift to participate in the Senior Challenge. The goal is not to raise a specific dollar amount. Rather it is to increase participation by educating students on the importance of giving.

How do I contribute?

The easiest way to contribute to the Senior Challenge is online giving. Gifts can also be made by phone, mail, fax, and more. Click here for more information.

Why are students asked to support the university? Don’t I already pay a huge tuition?

Marquette University is funded by three major sources: tuition, endowment, and annual giving. The endowment represents gifts of invested funds that produce annual income for a wide variety of purposes including student financial aid. Endowment provides critical financial stability, ensuring a source of financial support year after year, but it does not cover daily expenses. While tuition costs are significant, it is important to note that tuition dollars represent only 62% of the actual cost of education per student. Annual giving makes up the difference. It is the financial lifeblood sustaining the university’s day-to-day mission of delivering a transformational education characterized by excellence, faith, leadership, and service.

Doesn’t the basketball team make enough money?

While the basketball program has been very successful and does generate revenue, Marquette’s commitment to a comprehensive athletics program with 14 varsity sports teams means that athletics is in need of the Blue and Gold fund to secure scholarships for its athletes in order for Marquette to compete in the Big East conference.

Marquette boasts 14 varsity sports and provides scholarship funding to over 140 Marquette student-athletes. Currently, Marquette funds the equivalence of over 90 full-tuition scholarships at a total cost of approximately $3.06 million ($34,000/full-tuition scholarship). Eventually, the Blue & Gold Fund would like to fund the 110 NCAA maximum number of full-tuition scholarships on an annual basis.

Why should I care?

Take a look back at your time at Marquette and what that has meant to you. Many of the memorable experiences that you had would not have been possible without the resources that were made available to you. Gifts made to Marquette in the past few years have directly benefited you in your time here.

Why does my gift matter?

With Senior Challenge partnering up with the MUAA National Board, Senior Challenge has the opportunity to make a profound impact with the size of its support. It all depends on our ability to participate. As more seniors participate in Senior Challenge, the larger the commitment by the national board gets – all the way up to $30,000!

What’s in it for me?

Gifts improve the quality of education at Marquette, thus adding to its prestige. This, in turn, increases the value of your Marquette degree. As Marquette continuously improves your Marquette degree suits as a wonderful asset throughout your life.

All Senior Challenge donors will be placed on the website’s honor roll page. Also seniors who take the challenge will be invited to the celebration party during senior week at the Annex.

SENIOR CHALLENGE

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