Future Alumni give thanks with annual SMU-Giving

By Carissa Hahn

Copy Editor

The Saint Mary’s University Future Alumni Committee (FAC) held their third annual SMU-Giving event.

SMU-Giving was an event on Nov. 15 for undergraduate students with a theme similar to that of Thanksgiving. It was held on Give to the Max Day, a statewide event held to promote the importance of giving back to non-profit organizations.  

SMU-Giving was filled with activities such as a Madden football tournament, root beer pong, coupon finding contest, pizza party and a pie-eating contest, said Connie Budin, co-president of FAC. Budin said there were about 100 people at the event. 

“I believe this is a very important event for SMU students to come to for the simple reason that it educates on where a portion of the Saint Mary’s funding comes from,” said Budin. “Those who donate to SMU on Give to the Max Day are all SMU graduates from both Winona and Minneapolis campus, and I don’t think that information is shared enough with how much money is raised each year.” 

Jay Olson, co-president of FAC, said that SMU is in a separate “Higher Education” category in regards to Give to the Max day, which is held every November. 

“We had an updated total throughout the day to show students where Saint Mary’s stood in our category,” said Olson. “We wanted students to know that while we were here learning and going on with our day, there are people putting money forth to make it possible.”

Budin said that a lot of people stuck around to watch the last event, the pie-eating contest. “Even I got pied in the face afterwards,” exclaimed Budin.

FAC is always welcoming new members. Their next event will be the 2013 Polar Plunge, Olson said.