UTAlumni NetworkNewsA few euros each adds up to a nice sum

A few euros each adds up to a nice sum

This year, the Twente University Fund received more than 750 donations from alumni and relations of the university. Among them were UT alumni Suzanne Stouten (22), Daan Kater (36) and Wessel Straatman (27), three young donors. They each explain why they gave money to the fund.

Suzanne: “Last year, our sorority donated money to Solar Team Twente. There are quite a few of us and I figured that if everyone donated a little bit, it could really add up for Solar Team Twente. I contacted sorority members who are still studying here and former members. Most were familiar with Solar Team Twente and happy to contribute. By donating just a few euros each, we were still able to offer the team a nice sum. Every bit helps! It is important to me as a student to also support my university and my fellow students. Because of our contribution, we felt even more involved with “our” team down under. “At the University of Twente, it is clear that a lot is being done and organised by students for students. They always enjoy doing this and everyone appreciates their efforts. I love my life as a student and being active in various capacities. An unforgettable year on the board of Piranha as it celebrated a lustrum brought me a wealth of knowledge, experience and friendships. That is so valuable, I want everyone to have that. After I graduate, I intend to continue to contribute, because I know how much it can mean to students!”


Daan: “During my bachelor’s programme, I was able to take a minor in Australia with the help of the University Fund. A brief internship at an Australian aviation company rekindled an old dream of mine to become a commercial airline pilot. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I was able to make this dream come true. I work as a pilot at KLM since 2008. I wanted to give back to the UT. Because the University Fund played such an important role in my own professional development, it makes sense for me to make an annual contribution. The student activism found at the UT is unique in the Netherlands; it is dear to me and it deserves our support. During my student years, I founded the Piranha diving club. That was an educational and fun experience. It was such a rush when I pulled it off. I still think back fondly of the diving tank we installed on campus. The club still exists today and continues to offer new generations of students a great time. Students’ workloads are growing, so they have less time and money available for development outside their studies. That is why student activism needs our support so badly.”

Wessel: “I was a very active student myself. I organised all kinds of events, I was on boards and I participated in a lot of fun activities as well. As a board member, the four of us worked really hard for a year and organised some wonderful activities. I learned a lot from that and I got a lot of satisfaction from it, as well as from the members’ enthusiasm. During that time, I became familiar with the University Fund as a sponsor of sports, culture and, of course, many parties! Because of my activism, I was able to kick off my professional career with the right background. Once I got a job after my amazing student years in Enschede, it only made sense for me to give back to my own university. Supporting student activism is important to me. I see young, recently graduated alumni join my organisation and I miss their initiative and decisiveness. Today’s students are under a lot of pressure, so it is more important than ever to give them a chance to develop themselves as well. Besides acquiring new knowledge during lectures, it is important to also expand one’s point of view by e.g. organising a study trip or a sports event or by serving on a board for a year. The University Fund can help students realise this.”

This article originally appeared in the UT Alumni Magazine Winter 2017/2018 issue.