West Virginia University seniors will have the opportunity to leave a permanent mark on the University before they graduate in May.

Starting this spring, WVU seniors who make a $30 donation to the Senior Gift fund will have their name engraved on the Class of 2002 Mountaineer Mark, a plaque listing the student donors.

“This is a way for seniors to give back to the University and feel connected to WVU ,”said Leah Montas, future services specialist with the Office of Student Affairs.”In the future, these graduating seniors will return to campus as alumni, see their name on the plaque and feel like part of the University.”

The Mountaineer Mark plaque will be placed on a proposed Walk of Seniors, an area on campus dedicated to all graduating seniors. A location for the Walk has not yet been determined.

According to Montas, contributions to this years Senior Gift fund may go toward the purchase of an arched welcome entranceway to the Downtown Campus. In the future, seniors will decide how the money should be spent. Scholarships, student emergency relief funds or student affairs projects are possible ideas, Montas said.

Students can sign up for the Senior Gift at the Senior One-Stop-Shop in the Mountainlair on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 2-3. Parents of graduating seniors will also be able to make a contribution in their sons or daughters name.

The idea of the Senior Gift was revived by the Senior Council, a group of WVU seniors representing all schools and colleges. Each year, the Senior Council will help decide how to use the Senior Gift.

. According to Montas, there have only been three classes (that University officials are aware of) to present a senior gift. In 1909 and 1930, the senior classes donated a gift of Ivy to Woodburn Hall. In 1925, the senior class donated two park benches, which now sit in front of Elizabeth Moore Hall on the Downtown Campus.

For more information or to contribute to the gift, call Doug Skaff or Leah Montas at 304-293-5811.