Seniors bestow bio-diesel gift

Author: Jake Cohen

In keeping with the Middlebury College tradition of presenting a gift in honor of four years well spent at the College, the Class of 2006 offers an environmentally conscious gift to the College this year. The class will donate a new MiddRides van fueled by bio-diesel, and the gift is only an illustration of what the senior class hopes will be a long lasting tradition.

The Senior Gift Committee spent a lot of time deliberating and deciding what would represent the class as they venture off into the real world. Ideas ranging from fish tanks in the library to more security blue lights on campus were introduced. After a poll of the entire senior class, the overwhelming majority supported the idea of presenting the College with a new bio-diesel fueled MiddRides van.

"Almost everyone on campus has used MiddRides at least once," said Jessica Murray '06, Gift Committee co-chair. "A MiddRides van powered by bio-diesel fuel will serve as a visible and prevalent manifestation of Middlebury's commitment to the environment." Middlebury is known as an environmentally conscience campus, duly noted by organizations like the Climate Control Club and many energy saving initiatives. A group of Middlebury students embarked on cross-country trips in 2003 and 2004 on the "Biobus," a school bus fueled by bio-diesel, which served as an inspiration for the senior gift. The new MiddRides van is set to be fully functional in the next fiscal year and will hopefully operate for longer hours as bio-diesel is more cost efficient.

But the contribution itself is not the main focus of the senior class. Rather, the Senior Committee hopes to establish a philosophy of philanthropy with its peers. Jeremy Shaw '06, Senior Committee co-chair, wants to place an emphasis on "the action of giving and the ethos behind it." At the "100 Days Party," seniors were asked to donate money to the gift fund as a show of appreciation. A total of $2,000 was collected, adding to grants from the Environmental Council and demonstrating the generosity and goodwill of the graduating class. Shaw and fellow co-chair Lauren Curatolo '06 realize that recent graduates will not have a lot of money to give to their alma mater but "participation is key. Even $10 or $20 here and there makes a huge difference."

The Gift Committee, working in conjunction with the Senior Committee, is also putting the final touches on senior week. There will be a "50 Day Party" and two big events as graduation nears. Plans call for a live concert and some events with President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz.

The new MiddRides van highlights the first of many major contributions from the Class of 2006. Murray explained that "future generations will certainly benefit from this gift and the Class of 2006 will undoubtedly leave its mark on the College."