Ever since her Residential College days, Liz Swaynie (RC Class of 2015) has always been drawn to helping others. From peer advisor to RC RA and everything in between, Liz played a key role in supporting RC students and the community. She once mistook former University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh as a parent helping his child on move-in day. Her time in the RC, Liz mentioned, was a highlight of her academic career at the University of Michigan.
“I wouldn’t have had as good of an experience in the University [of Michigan] if it wasn’t for the RC”.
Despite sunshines and rainbows, Liz encountered frustrations with endowments that students in need couldn’t access.
She decided to enact change herself. After graduating from the Residential College with her Bachelor’s in Creative Writing and Screen Arts & Cultures, Liz went on to fundraise and manage donor relations firstly in the Ford School of Public Policy, then for the University of Michigan - Dearborn.
Some of her work involves “internet sleuthing” potential donors, she humorously added. Describing herself as the “giver kind of person” in an interview with The University Record, Liz has spent ten years at the University.
While her career path takes the general route on paper, Liz discovered a newfound passion with the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary (GLRS) after donating food supplies to the organization after the passing of her pet rabbit. Curious about the GLRS, Liz started helping grow their social media and running fundraising campaigns. Liz now serves on the board of the GLRS as Fundraising Chair, enriching her experiences at the university, and gaining a few friendly, hopping friends in the process. Despite surpassing the sanctuary’s initial goal of $25,000 for dire renovations, harbouring animals is no cheap feat, and ongoing fundraisers are constantly live on their GiveButter page.
One given fundraiser event is the upcoming Harvest Hoppening this Sunday, October 12th from 2-5 PM. While a fun opportunity to celebrate the fall weather with food and games, Liz hopes to encourage the community to build personal connections with residents of the sanctuary.
While fundraising for an animal sanctuary and shelter wasn’t necessarily on Liz’s mind when she went into fundraising for the school, it’s definitely become a strong passion she indulges in after her conventional 9-5.
The GLRS welcomes any donations and/or volunteers to keep the sanctuary for animals running!
You can find more about the GLRS here!
Donate and join Harvest Hoppening here!
