Hanszen wins the battle

Hanszen wins the battle

BY B.J. ALMOND
Rice News staff

Although Will Rice College swept the Beer Bike races, Hanszen College took home the Sammy Cup by winning the College Battle — the competition for the highest average giving participation to the Annual Fund. The trophy was displayed Saturday at Beer Bike.

	Representatives of Hanszen College proudly display the Sammy Cup at Beer Bike. Kneeling, from left, are Dan Derozier, Joe Chang, Eileen Shi and Vanessa Perez. Standing, from left, are Hanszen masters Barbara and Wes Morris, Darrin Williams, Kirby Pulikowski, Diana Cox, Noemi De La Cruz and Andre Andalcio.

The battle, part of the Centennial Campaign, involved each college’s alumni, senior students and parents. Hanszen’s overall participation of 8.5 percent led to their battle victory, but they also had the highest participation from senior student donors, 53.6 percent.   

Senior Ted Wieber, who chaired Hanszen’s senior giving campaign, said he was thrilled that Hanszen won both the College Battle and the Senior Giving Challenge. “Winning the College Battle by having the highest aggregate giving percentage of alumni, parents and seniors was a team effort,” he said. “Clearly, Hanszenites past and present have demonstrated a remarkable dedication to supporting the Rice community.”

In addition to the Sammy Cup, Hanszen will receive $1,000 and a special memento designed by fourth-year architecture student Mary Lyon Train.

“Hanszen Cabinet is planning to use the $1,000 prize to help fund a permanent outdoor grilling installation in the Hanszen quad,” Wieber said.

“Creating an attractive area for cookouts and tailgate parties that would help promote college togetherness seems like an appropriate way to enjoy our victory.”

The College Battle raised nearly $416,000 for the Rice Annual Fund. Of the 2,273 donors, 1,646 were alumni; 402 were parents of students; and 225 were seniors. Nearly 28 percent of senior students participated in the battle; overall parent participation was 9.5 percent; alumni participation was 6.3 percent.

Baker had the highest participation from alumni donors — 7.2 percent — and Will Rice yielded the highest parent participation — 12.27 percent.

Last year the College Battle brought in donations from 1,573 alumni. This year was the first time the battle was opened up to seniors and parents.

Gifts to the Annual Fund help support expenses that endowment funds do not cover in such areas as scholarships and fellowships, classroom technology, campus security, library acquisition, campus beautification and student activities and programs.