I wanted to write this letter to express my gratitude --- to the College and to the writers of the article in the Ithaca College Quarterly (2001/3) about alumni contributions. It was an eye-opening article for me. I am one of those people who say things like "I spent enough during my years there; why should I pay more?" and other such examples of people’s excuses for not contributing that were mentioned in the article. But after reading the article, it made me realize the importance, and the need, for alumni contributions.

I am enclosing a check to be used in any way that can help the College. It’s not a lot; I’ve got bills to pay, like everyone else! But I think it’s better than nothing --- which is how much I’ve donated until now since I graduated in 1995.

Yes, a lot of money was spent for my education there, but none of it was wasted. My experiences were priceless, and my education was --- and still is --- one of the most valuable things I’ve ever received. Many of my friends at Ithaca College received financial aid, and had they not, I might never have met them.

I do not use my degree in television-radio in my current job or in any jobs that I’ve held since graduating. But my degree on a résumé is an impressive asset nonetheless, and the things I learned in my communications classes at school --- and all my classes --- can be taken with me wherever I go in life.

Ithaca College was my first choice, and I was accepted. I shouldn’t take that for granted. One reason it was my first choice was how beautiful the campus and the city were. I can’t forget how pretty the lake and surrounding green hills looked that spring when I applied.

During my years there the buildings and grounds on campus were always kept clean and well groomed. The residence hall bathrooms, such a mess on Friday and Saturday nights, were always spotless come Monday mornings. My friends and I looked forward to meeting in the dining halls each day for lunches and dinners. People are behind all of these operations, and they can’t be taken for granted.

I’ll admit that some of my classes were not fun or interesting! But most of them were, and getting back a midterm or a paper with an A or a B made me feel great and made me appreciate the professors who were teaching me and the material I was learning.

These are just some examples of the things I should not take for granted, because they were a major part of my life eight years ago. And I’m sure they would not have been possible, in part, without the contributions of the students who came before me.

I hope that many people read the article and feel the way I do. I hope that in the coming years you can communicate to the students who pass through Ithaca’s doors the importance of their giving back to Ithaca some of the value of what they take with them, so that our school can continue to grow and offer invaluable experiences for generations.

Karyn McGovern ’95
Killington, Vermont