Wharton students. Courtesy photo

Wharton Digital Platform Creates A More Caring Culture

A student-created digital platform at Wharton is allowing students to express thanks and appreciation for one another in and build a more caring culture.

The platform, Gratitude@Wharton, lets students submit a note of gratitude through an online submission form to fellow students, professors, administrators, or staff members. Recipients receive the note in their inbox and senders can choose to remain anonymous. With permission, the messages can be shared publicly and even displayed on LCD screens throughout Wharton buildings.

“The creation of this initiative enabled me to draw on my own struggles with mental well-being throughout the past few years in order to generate a platform that will encourage members of the Wharton community to take time to engage in the practice of expressing gratitude, a tool which I have found invaluable in helping me regain a more positive outlook on my life and hope for the future,” says Wharton senior Louisa Cacchione, who came up with the idea. “My hope is for this initiative to create a gratitude movement at Wharton and beyond.”

A CULTURE OF EXPRESSING GRATITUDE

The initiative, which started this past fall, is overseen by Wharton Wellness, an undergraduate student club. Lee Kramer, director of Wharton Student Life, says the initiative aims to build a culture of expressing gratitude.

“We are so grateful for Louisa for coming up with this initiative and for Wharton Wellness for implementing the program,” he says. “Expressing appreciation for one another is so important these days and this student-initiated platform provides a meaningful way for everyone within Wharton to show their gratitude towards one another which in turn can help to promote an even more caring and inclusive community.”

PRACTICE GIVING & GETTING THANKS

Giving thanks feels good. Getting it feels even better. It’s a practice, for both senders and receivers that Cacchione says is something that makes the initiative special.

“What I believe sets Gratitude@Wharton apart from other digital platforms for building connections is its unique ability to positively benefit both the creator of the content and its recipient,” Cacchione says. “By taking time to complete the form, every individual who writes a gratitude message experiences the benefits of engaging with this practice, such as feeling more positive emotions and building resilience. Those who are on the receiving end of the surprise gratitude messages in their inbox similarly experience positive emotions and boosted moods.”

Sources: Wharton, Wharton