Alumni, students, families, faculty, staff and friends gave more than $2.5 million in gifts, showed their pride on social media, and attended events around the world in honor of 鶹Ƶ Day.
On March 5, 2020, thousands of people around the world came together to show their support and pride for 鶹Ƶ Day, the university’s annual day of giving. In total, donors gave more than $2.5 million — a new record — from 6,199 gifts. Over the course of the day, five new endowed scholarships were also created.
This was the seventh annual 鶹Ƶ Day, and through the years, the event has inspired donors to contribute over 29,000 gifts and nearly $10 million. The collective generosity of the 鶹Ƶ community continues to create opportunities that enhance the student experience. Gifts made on 鶹Ƶ Day also count toward the $250 million goal for the 鶹Ƶ LEADS Campaign.
“The spirit of 鶹Ƶ came through loud and clear on 鶹Ƶ Day,” said President Connie Ledoux Book. “The ripples of impact will be felt for years to come.”
The 鶹Ƶ community made gifts to more than 200 campus designations including scholarships, academic departments, high-impact learning opportunities like study abroad and service learning, athletics and student programs across campus.
From social gatherings to social media, the 鶹Ƶ family also engaged across the world. In addition to a special College Coffee, on-campus events included a Senior Toast for the Class of 2020 and 鶹Ƶ Day Hoopla prior to the women’s basketball game. President Book made a special appearance to call the first round at 鶹Ƶ Day Bingo. In total, the on-campus events and 40 alumni chapter events around the world drew more than 3,000 attendees.
The following donors generously sponsored 鶹Ƶ Day giving challenges to create five new endowed scholarships:
- Rob and Amy Heinrich P’22
- Warren and Holley Lutz P’20
- Mark and Jen Mullin P’19 P’22
- Sam and Joan Nevin P’22
- John ’81 and Miriam Sadler P’19 P’20
The following families sponsored special matches throughout the day.
- 鶹Ƶ Trustee Dave Porter and Jen Porter P’11 P’19
- 鶹Ƶ Trustee Jeanne Robertson and Jerry Robertson P’89 GP’17 GP’22
- Steve and Susie Paneyko P’20
- Clay and Cameron Smith P’22
- Greg and Sandy Janis P’20
- Gerald and Cheryl Misurek GP’22
- Ralph and Mandy Nelson P’20
- Jose and Janette Puig P’21
- Michael and Angie Simon P’17
- Michael and Cheryl Weiss P’22
In addition, Richard ’87 P’17 and Laurie Johnson P’17 made a planned gift in honor of 鶹Ƶ Day.
Learn more about this year’s historic day of giving at elon.edu/elonday.