ILANA GAUSS likes to say that she minored in Hillel at BU. It was at BU Hillel that the marine biology major found a community of friends while helping with Friday services. “I had many opportunities there to grow as a leader,” says Gauss (CAS’99). Those opportunities, combined with College of Arts & Sciences classes, formed the undergraduate experience Gauss honors today through regular gifts to BU.

“The fact that I could be a part of the Hillel community and Jewish studies while pursuing marine biology truly told me I hadn’t been crazy to look for this ideal combination in college,” she says. After BU, Gauss worked in marine biology and then environmental conservation and preservation, founding EcoJews, a nonprofit that she says aims to “get people to change their behavior and live a more sustainable life.” Today, she continues that work, while exploring other talents and interests, including making Judaica pottery.

“I give to Hillel and to the College of Arts & Sciences because I am so grateful for the opportunities I had there,” she says. “I’m honoring the friendships and mentorship I found at Hillel, and I want to help make sure that future BU students will also have those opportunities.”

Please visit bu.edu/cas/impactx2 or contact Steve Kean, chief advancement officer, at 617-358-1214 to learn more about giving to CAS.