Seniors Lead the Way as Polar Bears Go "All Paws In"
By Bowdoin NewsOn October 15 and 16, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and family members went “All Paws In” during a two-day challenge focused on College priorities that fill urgent needs that arise for individual students, including textbooks, support for the Student Leadership Initiative, and funds directed to the College's greatest needs as they develop.
A generous, anonymous alumnus challenger promised to match each gift with an additional $100. Together, the Bowdoin community raised $88,076, including $47,300 unlocked through the challenge—gifts that will immediately and directly impact current students. The 473 gifts represented two and a half times the number of supporters who participated last year.
Students Showing Up for Students
On campus, this year’s student class agents partnered with the Office of Annual Giving to spend the first day of All Paws In tabling in Smith Union, where classmates, faculty, and staff could spin the “wheel of knowledge” to learn about each funding area and pick up a voucher for a free coffee or tea in the café.
Student participation during this year’s effort more than doubled compared to last year, with fifty-two students making gifts, including four first-years who made their first gifts to Bowdoin and seven seniors who have given every year since their first on campus. Seniors led the charge, surpassing all alumni classes on the leaderboard and landing in the number one spot, with thirty-four supporters (a 48 percent increase over the Class of 2026’s support during their senior year).
Senior class agent Maya Tokioka ’27 wrote to her classmates, “As seniors, we have the opportunity to pay it forward and ensure our peers have the resources they need to thrive. That’s why I’ll be making my gift to this effort, and I hope you will too."
A Week Later, the Senior Soiree
The momentum from All Paws In carried into the following week, when senior class agents officially launched their yearlong class fundraising campaign at the Senior Soiree on Thursday, October 22, in Barry Mills Hall.
More than 150 members of the Class of 2027 gathered for an evening of live music, an interactive photobooth, get-to-know-you BINGO, and refreshments from Bowdoin Dining. Marcus Chiang ’27 and Matty Marchese ’27 addressed the class during the event, and by the evening’s conclusion, thirteen more seniors had made gifts
“This fall, our seniors didn’t just learn about giving back; they led it,” said Executive Director of Annual Giving Christi Lumiere. “Between All Paws In and the Senior Soiree, the Class of 2027 has already demonstrated what it means to show up for one another, and we are so grateful to them.”
A Growing Tradition
All Paws In will return each fall, featuring a small set of college priorities where support is most needed at the start of the academic year. Visit the All Paws In website to learn more about this year’s funding areas and the impact of your support.