Frequently Asked Questions

51�� reaches out to alumni, parents, and friends in a variety of ways. The purpose of an email, letter or postcard is to provide you with information regarding the university while also inviting you to participate in a variety of programs, events and engagement opportunities.

If you have questions or comments about our programs or want to join a reunion committee or affinity group, please email alumni@bridgew.edu.

The current cost of attending 51�� can be found here.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides only a portion of what is necessary to do what we do at 51��. Since the 1980's, state funding has dropped drastically from 80% to 20%

The balance of the budget falls on the shoulders of students and their families in the form of fees. Your gift will provide direct help for students who struggle to make ends meet while financing their education through job wages and loans.

Yes, your gift to 51�� Foundation is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

The 51�� Foundation is a nonprofit IRC Sec. 501(c)(3) organization that is structurally separate from 51�� and exists solely for the benefit of 51��, serving as the conduit for philanthropic contributions to the university.

Through planned giving, you can make a charitable gift now or after your lifetime based on assets in your estate. A gift from your estate can provide the University with significant future support while preserving the flexibility you need to take care of yourself and your loved ones. A planned gift can be as simple as adding 51�� as a beneficiary on an existing account or including us in your will. Certain planned gifts can also give you immediate tax benefits and guaranteed income for life.

If you have questions please contact Mary Abbott, Major Gift Officer, at 508.531.1288 or m3abbott@bridgew.edu.

Yes, you can, and pledges are a great way to make a meaningful gift while spreading the payments out over time. You have the option to pledge payment of your gift in installments monthly, quarterly or annually. You can arrange to pay your gift installments by check, credit card or directly from a bank account using Automatic Monthly Deduction.

The Bridgewater Fund provides critical support for 51�� students through scholarships, paid internships, and other life-changing experiences and opportunities. In particular, unrestricted gifts to the Bridgewater Fund open many doors for students by enabling the university to determine the best strategic investment of these funds in support of the student experience.

51�� Foundation is recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, USA, and our Federal Employee Identification Number is 22-2678005.

The 51�� Foundation is a tax-exempt , which are common among public universities because they offer more flexibility to raise and manage private support than state entities or government subdivisions.

The 51�� Foundation is a nonprofit IRC Sec. 501(c)(3) organization that is structurally separate from 51�� and exists solely for the benefit of 51��, serving as the conduit for philanthropic contributions to the university and fulfilling a fiduciary responsibility to ensure donor intention.

You have the option to indicate that your gift is in honor or memory of someone else. If you provide us with the name and address, we will send your special someone, or their loved ones, an acknowledgment of your kind gesture of generosity on their behalf.

Send your contribution check made payable to 51�� Foundation. It also helps to indicate your designation in the memo line (i.e., John Doe Scholarship).

Checks can be mailed to:
51�� Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 42
Bridgewater, MA 02324

Endowed gifts at 51�� start at the $25,000 level. Your gift establishing an endowed fund has enduring value because the 51�� Foundation invests the principal you provide, while a portion of the income generated is used as an annual award according to your specifications – forever.

The endowed fund can be established in your name or in the name of someone you would like to honor. When you are ready to designate your endowed fund, please contact Mary Abbott at 508.531.1288 or contact her by email at m3abbott@bridgew.edu.

Many companies offer their employees a matching gift program that doubles or triples the value of your gift to 51��. Some will even match gifts from retirees and spouses.

You can use our to see whether your employer is among those who match gifts to 51��. If your employer is listed, you can contact your company’s human resource or community relations department for more information about applying their match.

If you wish to make a gift while remaining anonymous, please let us know by indicating this on a giving form. We will keep information about your gift in strict confidence.

Yes. Soon after your gift is recorded by Bridgewater, you will receive a receipt for your gift in the mail that is suitable for tax purposes.

If you have any questions concerning receipt of a gift to 51��, please contact Sarah Landers, at 508.531.2725 or at s3landers@bridgew.edu.

If you’re a graduate or former student of Bridgewater, you’re automatically a lifelong member of the Bridgewater Alumni Association. If you’re interested in getting involved, just email us at alumni@bridgew.edu.

The Bridgewater Alumni Association sponsors distinguished alumni/ae awards associated with several of our academic colleges and a few well-established constituency groups. The full list of alumni awards, providing detailed descriptions and easily accessible nomination forms, is available on this site.

The Athletic Hall of Fame nominees can be submitted to us at alumni@bridgew.edu.

You can order a replacement diploma by contacting the Registrar’s Office at 508.531.1231. The fee for a duplicate diploma is $50. Please send your written request along with a check payable to 51�� to:

Registrar's Office

ATTN: Assistant Registrar for Graduation
Boyden Hall, Room 003
131 Summer Street
Bridgewater, MA 02325

The Registrar's Office is now offering E-Transcripts. Click here for more information on Transcript Requests.

You can update your contact information or call us at 508.531.1290.

You can buy official Bridgewater merchandise at the . There’s also a full array of branded sports gear online at the . Don't forget to check out our new , as well!

You can enjoy a virtual visit online or a student-guided tour. You may also use the map and directions on this site to plan an independent in-person visit to campus so you can explore the exciting changes for yourself. We’ve been in the same spot for nearly 175 years, and you’ll undoubtedly see sights that bring you back to your days at Bridgewater. Please be sure to stop by the Jones Alumni House at 26 Summer Street.

51�� Career Services provides a full range of services, resources and programs for all of our alumni population, regardless of when you graduated.

Considering a career change? Looking to move ahead? Trying to re-enter the workforce? You can schedule an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your career path, review your resume and cover letters, discuss the job search process or receive graduate school advising. If you have more questions, please call 508.531.1328 or email C areerServices@bridgew.edu.

Learn more about our alumni Career Services.

Yes, please visit the internship office (Rondileau Student Union, Room 102) or contact Diane Bell, director of internships, at 508.531.2632 or d1bell@bridgew.edu.

Class Reunion Committees are forming now! You can express your interest by either emailing alumni@bridgew.edu or calling us at 508.531.1290.

Classes typically hold reunions every 5 years, but why wait? You can either look forward to joining us during Homecoming Weekend for your 5th, 10th, 25th, 45th, 50th or post 50th reunion, or you can contact us to schedule your reunion sooner.

Depending on the level of enthusiasm among your classmates, we can offer something simple (such as a designated table at the all-alumni breakfast during Homecoming) or we can help you plan an entirely separate event tailored to your interests.

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