December 12, 2022

I hope this letter finds you well. First, we want to recognize the tragedy on November 13, 2022, that took the lives of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry. As we mourn their losses, we are continuing to find support and love within our Society. Additionally, we are working on ways to honor their lives and offer support to our community. We have postponed our fall initiation until next semester, and an updated date will be sent soon.

The Raven Society continues to elect outstanding new members each semester. One of the time-honored traditions of the Society is to fund the scholarly pursuits of promising students. We appreciate all of the generous contributions that you and your fellow Ravens have made in the past in order to fund these endeavors. Your continued support to the Raven Society would allow us to strengthen our impact at the University of Virginia even further.

Founded in 1904, the Raven Society is the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society at the University of Virginia. In order to maintain our position as the preeminent honorary society on Grounds, the Raven Council kindly asks for your assistance. One of the most important functions of the Ravens is to select new members who embody Thomas Jefferson’s aspirations for the University. Additionally, the Society recognizes excellence in our community through Raven Awards and Scholarships, encourages knowledge creation through Raven Fellowships, and fosters the tradition of the “Academical Village” through the Annual Raven Banquet and regular Faculty-Student dinners.

We do all of this, and yet we could do so much more. In order to protect the traditions of the Society, we ask that you consider giving to one of the initiatives outlined below.

  1. Annual Dues – Dues fund our annual newsletter and support special events such as Initiation twice a year and the “Reunions Weekend” reception. At a minimum, we ask that all members who participate in Raven-related events pay dues once during each calendar year.
  2. Contribute to the Raven Operating Account and Endowment Funds – An additional contribution above annual dues will help the Society continue to provide its members with benefits such as pins and certificates. This year, we are using some of our operating account for our new endowment fund to waive banquet fees for students who are unable to afford a ticket and one year of dues for newly-initiated Ravens. If you would like to contribute to these initiatives, please contact Lily Kauffman at lsk3va@virginia.edu.
  3. Contribute to the Raven Scholarship or the Raven Fellowship Endowment – Even a small donation of $50-$100 will allow the Society to continue to build the endowment for awarding Raven Scholarships and Raven Fellowships.
  4. 2023 Scholarship Presenting Sponsor – A single contribution of $2,000 will fund a Raven Scholarship for 2023 These Scholarships will be awarded in the spring, and you will be invited to present your scholarship to an exceptional UVA student. Again, if interested, please contact Lily Kauffman at lsk3va@virginia.edu.

To submit dues or to make a donation, you may visit the Society’s support page or return the enclosed card. Please also consider updating your contact information on the website.

The generous support of its members enhances the Raven Society’s stature at the University of Virginia. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to celebrating with you at the banquet on April 27, 2023!

Evermore,

Lily Kauffman, Treasurer