Augusta University welcomes new graduates and a new program

Students walking at this year’s commencement ceremony experienced something different than those who came before them — a sign attached to their seat with a previous graduate’s name displayed.

Called Paw It Forward, the program is a way to recognize donors by displaying their names on seats at commencement and bring awareness to new graduates about the contributions made by previous graduates. In doing so, the hope is to build strong ties with new alumni at a time when they’re feeling a particularly strong kinship to their brand new alma mater.

While the new graduates might not know the name on their chair, they share the same experience of becoming members of the Augusta University Alumni Family, and the graduates will have a visual representation of the amount of people who helped to make their college experience possible.

With this new program, new graduates and their families will have the opportunity to make similar contributions for students who will follow behind them. By encouraging annual gifts to go towards the Greater University Fund, Paw It Forward will help to support programs like study abroad, tutoring services and even emergency funding for students in need.

Ultimately, the goal of the program is to ensure new graduates have a hand in shaping their institution while also providing more future opportunities for those who follow in their footsteps.

For more information, visit Paw It Forward.