A Growing Legacy: Visualizing the Phonathon Spirit

Walking into the Phonathon office—located in the basement of the Odell building—you’ll immediately notice a stunning change. While the rhythmic hum of student callers connecting with alumni remains the heart of the room, the north wall now tells a story of its own.

A vibrant new mural featuring a sprawling tree, with leaves dancing in the wind against a backdrop of Palatine Hill’s iconic mountain views, now anchors the space. But this isn’t just paint on a wall; it’s a living record of the students who power our philanthropic mission.

A Record of “Friends Along the Way”

The project was spearheaded by Student Philanthropy Officer (SPO) Kiana Hall, who saw an opportunity to transform a blank wall into a symbol of the Phonathon’s tight-knit community. As callers join the team and eventually move toward graduation, they are invited to sign one of the tree’s falling leaves.

“I thought it was time we have something that represents our tight-knit workplace,” Kiana explains. “Folks at Phonathon usually return to work each semester while attending LC, so our group is constantly growing and saying our goodbyes. I thought a tree would be the best record of our team, something that reflected the friends along the way.”

Bridging the Gap

Through their daily conversations, student callers navigate the shared history of our campus. “I always love hearing about the little experiences that connect us across time and space,” Kiana shares. While she admits it can be challenging to reach alumni who may feel distant from their college days, the mural serves as a constant visual reminder of the goal: to spark a memory that brings an alum back to a place they loved.

As our current students look toward their own futures, the mural stands as a gift to those who will follow. It reinforces the idea that the energy invested in campus spaces today creates the “fuel” for future generations.

“Community-building is cyclical,” Kiana reflects. “What made me love the Phonathon space was the people who supported and connected with me, so I am honored to give others that same feeling when they look at this mural.”

Next time you hear from a student caller, know that they are speaking to you from a space that honors both your history and their bright futures—one leaf at a time.

About the Artist

Name: Kiana Hall 
Class year: 2026
Hometown: Central Point, Oregon
Major: Rhetoric & Media Studies
Extracurriculars: Speech & Debate
What’s on your Mural-Painting Playlist? “I listened to a lot of different stuff, including The Neverending Story audiobook and albums by Doechii, Tyler, The Creator, and Ninajirachi.”
Quote: “I love calling alumni and talking about how difference the campus looks now and then. We bond over things that stay the same, like the beautiful view of Mt. Hood.”