Students and alumnae organize Philanthropy Week

At Quad Rocks, students learn about all of the campus clubs and organizations, most of which are rooted in community support and development.


Sweet Briar students from multiple clubs and organizations teamed up with Emily Dodson ’18 from the Office of Alumnae Relations and Development to create Philanthropy Week which kicks-off today. Watch our Facebook and Instagram account for photos and updates throughout the week.

“I think in true Sweet Briar fashion, many departments and student organizations have come together in order to make an impact on our Sweet Briar and wider communities,” says Emily. “It is so important to do so, especially now. To paraphrase the quote on our Philanthropy Week t-shirt, every singular person is just a drop, but when we band together, we are an ocean.”

The week is packed with a wide range of ways to join together and give back to the campus and local Amherst community. In addition to the events listed below, all week long, food is being collected in Prothro Atrium for Neighbors Helping Neighbors and the Monacan Indian Nation Food Bank.

Community Garden Work Day
Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Get your hands dirty with the Sustainability Club in the community garden. Update: We asked Lisa Powell how it went and she said, “It was great! It was a fantastic turnout, and they really worked hard and got so much done!”

Postcards to Donors
Sept. 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Express your thanks by writing notes to the College’s donors and supporters in the Student Commons Courtyard.

Sweet Briar Trivia
Sept. 29, 8 p.m.

Test your knowledge—virtually— hosted by the Campus Events Organization.

Alumnae Nonprofit Career Panel
Sept. 30, 7 p.m.

Learn from alumnae at this virtual panel about pursuing a career working with nonprofits. Panelists include:

Renee Flowers ’93
Director of development, Jefferson’s Poplar Forest , Madison Heights, VA
Meaghan Hogan ’14
Development assistant, American Battlefield Trust, Washington, DC
Beth Ike ’96
Development chief of staff, Southern Environmental Law Center, Charlottesville, VA
DJ Stanhope ’81
Executive director, USO, Las Vegas, NV

Letters to Fairmont
Oct. 1, 4:20-7 p.m.

Spread joy to the residents of Fairmont Crossing Health and Rehabilitation Center by writing letters with the Earphones on the Dell.

Sweet Briar Heroes
Oct. 2, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Give thanks to our heroes by signing a banner with LatinX and the Black Student Alliance in the Student Commons Courtyard.

G.L.O.W. Color Fun Run
Oct. 3, 6-8 p.m.

Glow all out by joining G.L.O.W. and the SGA for a color run starting in the Quad.

Movies on the Dell
Oct. 3, 8:30 p.m.

Fall into the season with favorite spooky films sponsored by alumnae relations and development.

Students who attend at least three of these events will receive a t-shirt designed by Pauli Born ’22 which honors the spirit of the week: Individually we are a drop, but together, we are an ocean.

For Mary Pope Maybank Hutson ’83, vice president of  alumnae relations and development, seeing how students from each class have come together in tough times to give back, resonates with her mission. “Philanthropy Week at Sweet Briar inspires all of us to think about ways we can give back to our College, our community and others who need support,” she says. “This defines who we are and continues a long tradition of Sweet Briar alumnae making a difference in the world.”

Learn more about how our students give back with their time, talent and treasure. The Sweet Briar Fund supports scholarships and financial aid; faculty support and academic innovation; and stewardship of the natural and built environment. There are also several friends groups that support specific areas. The Friends of Art, Friends of Athletics, Friends of the Library and Friends of Riding provide funding that stretches beyond the budgetary provisions of the College. These visionary groups act as stewards who champion and sustain the mission of the College by ensuring future generations of students benefit from its invaluable resources.