Q: Why Do People Give To Trinity?
A: To Give Back To Trinity, Since Trinity Gave So Much To Me
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(Des) Potier ’03 considers annual giving through the Trinity College
Fund a significant way to show appreciation for his experience at
Trinity. “I think it’s important to make it a habit and give
consistently, even if it’s a small amount,” he says. “I feel like I owe
the College a lot, and I’ve been able to increase my gift as I’ve moved
along in my career. Trinity helped me become a better person, a better
student, and a better advocate for others. As much as I put in, I got
twice as much out of Trinity.”
Des, who majored in political science at Trinity, was awarded a Fleet Bank community service scholarship that he says made all the difference financially in enabling him to attend Trinity.
“Now that I work in admissions, I look back on my own experience with Trinity’s admissions counselors. They encouraged me and made me feel special. Then when I started at Trinity, they came through on their promise.”
He also speaks fondly of favorite professors – including Stefanie Chambers, Robert Peltier, and Gitte Schulz – and the influence of Joe Barber, Trinity’s director of community service, with whom he worked on several projects, including at the Trinity College Boys and Girls Club.
This summer, Des moved from Boston, where he grew up, to Athens, Georgia, to start a new job. He is associate director of admissions at the University of Georgia. “Because I was in the process of making that transition, unfortunately I had to miss my fifth reunion at Trinity, and I really wanted to be there for it.”
“I’m a first-generation college student and receiving that scholarship at Trinity was so important,” adds Des. “I understand the struggles kids can have as they try to get into a great college or university – and how it can really change the whole trajectory of a family when they do. Trinity took a chance on me and I want Trinity to know how much I appreciate it.”
