Members of the 鶹ӳý community raised more than $835,000 in 24 hours to support 鶹ӳý during this year’s Greatest Day of Giving, a 24-hour philanthropic challenge that took place March 24 to raise funds for everything from scholarships and academic programs to athletics and student support funds.
鶹ӳý surpassed its goal of 2,021 donors for this year with a total of 3,133 alumni, parents, friends, students, faculty and staff members contributing to a wide range of funds that will have big impact on students and programs campus wide. Donors from almost every state in the country showed their support.
Thanks to a group of generous donors, several one-time challenge gifts helped inspire increased giving. As challenges were achieved, bonus funds were “unlocked” – adding thousands of dollars in support of 鶹ӳý programs and scholarships. Members of the 鶹ӳý Foundation Board sponsored a $320,800 challenge gift and members of the 鶹ӳý Alumni Board sponsored $30,850.
Results are still being tallied, but so far the top-supported funds included ($37,300) ($36,776), Keep Charging On Fund for 鶹ӳý Athletics ($23,586), ($10,772) ($14,325) and ($13,320).
A $250,000 gift from Jessica Blume ’80 and her husband, Ken, will support a scholarship program for business students who are the first in their families to attend college. This commitment, which marks the largest single gift in the history of the 鶹ӳý Day of Giving campaign, will provide greater opportunities for first-generation students to graduate from college.