Originally published in The Greyhound, Loyola University Maryland’s online news source.
It’s easy to look at higher education as a transaction: You pay money to get a diploma. You then use that degree to get a job. For most, it’s an easy two-step process of give and take—a necessary step to unlock a greater unknown. But for some, the importance of giving outweighs that of taking to the point of generous overflow.
Located on the bottom floor of Campion Towers, the Office of Student Advancement’s Phonathon is a hub of enthusiastic students dedicated to the university’s mission of philanthropy. Every night for four hours, its staff callers reach out to parents of current students, parents of past students, and alumni both new and old to see if they’d be interested in furthering their greyhound involvement by giving back to Loyola’s various efforts in the form of monetary donation.
Phonathon shifts are mostly what you would expect from a call center: rows of cubicles with staff making calls, headsets on, motivation high. The energy that buzzes through the air is occasionally recharged by an exuberant, “I got a credit card!” or perhaps even more exciting, “I got a pledge!” which signifies a more long-term commitment.
“At Phonathon, getting a pledge is such a gratifying experience. As a caller, knowing that you made a connection with a prospect and helped them understand how important philanthropy is to Loyola is so rewarding,” Manager Delani Pecchioli ‘19 explained.
These feats, however plentiful on any given night, surely do not go unnoticed. With every new accomplishment, the caller is given the opportunity to play the game of the night that is managed by the Shift Leader—whether it be Phamily Pheud, Jeopardy, or Battleship—adding a healthy dose of competition to the workplace fun.
For the full article, visit The Greyhound.
RODLYN-MAE BANTING 
Leave a comment