Each year the senior class chooses a class gift. This year the MBA Class of 2008 Senior Class Gift is an endowed fellowship for use by future Carlson students. Endowed fellowships provide support to students year after year.

Here’s how it works: Gifts and pledges totaling $25,000 or more create a permanent fellowship endowment fund at the University of Minnesota Foundation. Roughly 5 percent of the fund’s market value is paid out each year to a select MBA student or students. Even more exciting is the opportunity we have to double the impact our gift through The President’s Scholarship Match program. Our fellowship’s annual payout will be matched dollar for dollar by a special fund created by President Bruininks allowing the fellowship endowment to function like an endowment twice its size! In essence, $25,000 functions like $50,000 and $75,000 functions like $150,000.

Think about what you have gained from your MBA experience at Carlson School of Management. You have received a great, graduate-level education. But accepting the status quo inevitably means a gradual decline in the School’s excellence and reputation, and subsequently the value of the degree you have worked so hard to obtain. By paying it forward, we help ensure that the future value of our Carlson education continues to increase.

Moreover, your relationship to the Carlson School extends beyond the two years you spent on campus. Rather, it is an enduring relationship over time. Supporting the MBA class gift is an investment in the future of generations of students and alumni to come. And, demonstrating current student confidence in the program is a powerful tool in attracting support from corporations, foundations and other alumni.

Our goal is to leave the most significant mark the school has seen from any Full-Time MBA graduating class. The Class of 2007 raised over $93,000 and we can do better! The only way to achieve this goal—and we know it is a big one—is high participation! Every gift makes a real difference! This year our goal is 80% participation. Remember if we hit 80% participation we will recieve a match of $50,000 from a generous alum!

That genrous alum is Bill Walter,1972 MBA, founder of Heartland Realty. As mentioned above he has challenged the class of 2008 to reach the goals set forth. Bill has demonstrated his commitment to Paying it Forward by promising to give back to an MBA fellowship if we hit our 80% participation goal.

Right now, we are simply asking for pledges—you have a few months to get your feet wet at your new job. Payments must begin by October 1, 2008. However, we can get the ball rolling now! You will need to complete the gift form and return it to the MBA office before Friday, April 11, 2008.
 
For more details on pledge methods and timing, please click here.