Starting early to leave a legacy

Getting involved on campus is what made Abigail Reed (’17) feel at home at MSU. And during her four years here, she did everything she could to make sure that when she graduated, she would be leaving her home better than she found it.

As a social relations and policy major within James Madison College, Reed was able to apply the things she learned in the classroom to her extracurriculars. She served as a member of the ASMSU student government, and, later, as vice president of the Senior Class Council.

As graduation drew nearer, Reed and her colleagues on the Senior Class Council started to think about how the Class of 2017 would begin building its legacy at MSU.

Historically, graduating seniors have made a collective gift to a specific cause, determined by the Senior Class Council. The Rock, a collection of art in the MSU Union, new bells for Beaumont Tower and various scholarship funds have been the work of past Senior Class Gift campaigns.

But in 2017, for the first time, the senior class was encouraged to make a statement by choosing causes that moved them individually.

Reed’s gift went to MSU Safe Place, which raises awareness and provides support and resources to survivors of relationship violence and stalking. It’s a cause she’s passionate about, and the experience of making a gift to her alma mater is one that she would like to repeat.

“I had such a wonderful experience at MSU,” Reed said, “and I want others to have that experience, too. Giving back was my way of saying ‘thank you’ to Michigan State. It felt good to give back, and it’s definitely something I plan to continue doing.”

Join MSU on Give Green Day, Nov. 28, and support students like Reed.