Reunion Introduction
Sample Story #1
Sample Story #2
Language to Encourage an Additional Gift to Achieve/Renew Tower Club Status

Reunion Introduction

Hello [name],

As a fellow Cornell Class of [year] graduate, I’m reaching out to share some information about our upcoming reunion, scheduled for June [dates]. Can you believe it’s been [#] years?! I hope that you are planning to attend the celebration back on the Hill–it’s going to be so much fun to see everyone again!

I would also like to thank you for your continued support of the university.  [Insert personal story about the impact Cornell has had on your life. / See sample stories below.]

I am serving as a committee member of the [#] Reunion Campaign, and I hope you will join me in making a gift to the university in honor of our reunion. Every gift you make during our reunion year, regardless of where the gift is directed, counts towards our campaign and supports the next generation of Cornellians. Please consider a gift of [amount] with [amount] to an annual fund.

As a graduate of [name of School or College] -or- As a past supporter of the [name of School or College], you may be interested in learning exactly how [name and title of the respective dean/director of the college/unit] puts their annual fund dollars to work. I’ve attached a short brochure that spotlights this and identifies how [name of college/unit] is hoping to use future gifts. I encourage you to look it over. 

I would love to talk to you about how you can support the areas at Cornell that you love the most, while also supporting the Class of [year]. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like to connect via [phone or Zoom]. I’m also available to answer any questions you might have about our upcoming reunion and the campaign -via- email.

Go Big Red!

[your name]
[your phone number]

PS: If your employer offers matching gifts, you and our class campaign will receive full credit for their contribution, as well!

Sample Story #1

As the daughter of a single, disabled parent, I was lucky enough to attend Cornell on nearly a full scholarship. I never took that opportunity for granted, and my Cornell experience helped shape me into the person I am today. I was able to learn and grow in the ways that I did in part due to the generosity of alumni who continued to give back to the University. Because of this, I am now a proud donor to our Annual Fund.

I want to personally thank you for your own past gifts to the annual fund. Your generosity has enabled vital growth for the University. Annual Fund dollars provide flexibility, allow Cornell leaders to open more doorways, respond quickly to urgent needs and help big dreams become reality.

Sample Story #2

I hope you will join me in commemorating our BIG milestone. I give back to Cornell, not just because my years on the Hill were formative (and my wife is also a classmate), but because I continue to grow and learn from participating in the global Cornell community. For example, I focus on early stage medical devices in Boston but tap expertise, ideas, and student energy via Cornell’s entrepreneurship program. Also, I read about and participate when possible in Cornell’s Atkinson Center for Sustainability programming. Cornell is one of the only global institutions with world class research and education in nearly every major academic discipline. When Ezra heralded, ‘any student, any study,’ I am not sure he could have imagined that his vision would carry through, to the letter, to what Cornell is today. Much has changed since we graduated, but the essentials have stayed the same.  It’s because of this that I continue to support our great institution so many years on.

Language to Encourage an Additional Gift to Achieve/Renew Tower Club Status

I want to thank you for your incredible gift of [$ amount] this year. I am hoping you will consider an additional gift of [amount] to [achieve -or- renew your] Tower Club status and help our class reach its reunion goal of having [number] Tower Club members. [If you’re close to the goal, you could mention how many more members are needed to meet the goal.]