To hasten the Class of 2001 toward its goal of setting a senior gift record, alumnus Brian G.R. Hughes has issued "the Fibonacci Challenge" whereby seniors can increase the impact of their gift depending on overall class participation.
Seniors who accept the challenge will be asked to make a gift of $10 before graduation and pledges for the next four years, following the Fibonacci mathematical sequence of $10, $20, $30 and $50. Mr. Hughes (SB 1977), former president of the Alumni Association has offered to match gifts for each year of the challenge according to class participation.
"I tell classmates that, whether you love or hate MIT, there has got to be something on this campus that you want to support, whether it was great or something that disappointed you and that you want to give to and improve," said class treasurer Satwiksai Seshasai.
Julie Parsons, publicity chairperson for the senior gift, said more than 40 new pledges were received at the senior gift kickoff on March 12 -- a large increase from the Senior Gift 2000 event last spring.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on March 21, 2001.