Archie Wilson Wins Fundraising Competition at Clinton Global Initiative University Conference

2017 Nov 1

Archie Wilson won a Crowdrise fundraising competition at the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Conference, and set the record for most money raised ($18,025) by any single group. For his efforts, Wilson was congratulated by Chelsea Clinton, Congressman Joe Kennedy III and former president Bill Clinton. Wilson was one of several Wesleyan students and recent alumni to attend the conference in Boston, Oct. 13-15. Wilson, who grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia, created Dream Chasers to close the academic and opportunity gaps in the South and Midwest through a collection of different programs and initiatives. In five years, the team has impacted the lives of more than 5,300 students and helped students earn $1.4 million in scholarships.

Gary Yohe, the Huffington Foundation Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies, accompanied the students at the conference, and Makaela Kingsley '98, director of the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship, worked with each of the Wesleyan students on developing their organizations.

"I often encourage students to attend conferences and meetings that will help them broaden their networks and perspectives, meet new people, and 'road test' their ideas. It takes initiative and guts to get off-campus and shake hands with strangers, but the return on that investment can be huge," Kingsley said.

Building upon the success of the Clinton Global Initiative, CGI U is grounded in the belief that no one is too young to make a difference and requires all student participants to take concrete actions to solve global challenges. Since its first meeting, CGI U has brought together more than 8,700 students from more than 940 schools, 145 countries and all 50 states.

Throughout the meeting, students engaged with leading experts, advocates and innovators in major plenary and smaller topic-based sessions on issues facing young people and the world today.