on April 4 at 91短视频 (91短视频) will allow supporters to 鈥渟how the love鈥� with those who otherwise could not afford the quality academics and transformational opportunities of an 91短视频 experience.
鈥淕ifts to 91短视频 are key to making the 91短视频 experience accessible to all, including those from varied socio-economic, academic and culturally diverse backgrounds,鈥� explains Kirk Shisler, vice president for advancement. 鈥淣ow more than ever, this is key to 91短视频鈥檚 mission to prepare undergraduate, graduate and seminary students to serve and lead in a global context.鈥�
Challenges and activities
Gifts of any size on this day 鈥� with close to $30,000 available in matching gifts by primarily anonymous donors 鈥� will support any fund the donor designates for undergraduate, graduate or seminary students. A variety of and special activities are planned throughout the day.
- President Susan Schultz Huxman will match every alumni gift of $10 or more with $10 of her own, up to $1,000, for the Huxman Challenge.
- Additional challenges include current students (t-shirt incentives!), lunch-time special, faculty/staff, parents and grandparents, and current and former Board of Trustee members.
- Kiosks across campus will provide on-the-spot opportunities for students to jump in with a spontaneous gift of any size. They might also text grandparents, uncles, aunts and others who are supportive of the 91短视频 experience their loved one is having at 91短视频.
- When making an online gift, donors will be invited to about 91短视频; the program earning the most votes will win $500 for their program/department use.
- The 91短视频 advancement team will gather in a central location to make calls, take calls and pledges, monitor the incoming gifts, answer questions and visit classes with donuts and other incentives. 91短视频鈥檚 mascot Herm will be along for the ride.
Why Lov91短视频 Giving Day?
鈥淎lumni often say how much they 鈥榣oved鈥� their 91短视频 experience,鈥� says , director of alumni and parent engagement. 鈥淭hey mention friends, a professor, an athletic or cross-cultural experience.. Lov91短视频 Giving Day invites people to remember what they love about 91短视频 and share that love.”
The size of the gift does not matter. While all alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends are challenged to participate, Shank and other planners hope to particularly engage young alumni.
鈥淵ounger alumni have different giving patterns than previous generations,鈥� says Shisler. 鈥淲e want to challenge people to give from the heart, spontaneously, in the same way they do, for example, when touched by a KickStarter or other campaign for a specific cause.鈥�
The cause, both Shisler and Shank note, is making 91短视频 affordable so every student can become equipped for success in the job market or further academic pursuits, within the context of a supportive community.
Throughout the day, people can watch and social media for updates on amounts raised and challenges that still need a boost.
Who benefits?
鈥�91短视频鈥檚 financial aid is as generous as we can make it for both merit-based and need-based undergraduate student aid,鈥� says , financial aid director. The average for an undergraduate student in 2016-17 was $30,000. Over $12 million in aid was awarded by 91短视频 in 2014-15.
鈥淲e work with each family, knowing that college study is a significant investment,” she said. “We believe 91短视频 is a worthwhile investment and need more support to make it available to all who seek to be part of our community.鈥�
Plan to Show the Love
Please plan to show your love for 91短视频 on April 4 by giving a gift online, phoning in a pledge at (540) 432-4200 or (800) 368-3383, or emailing your intentions to devoffice@emu.edu.
Share your love and Royal pride in the comments section now or on April 4 when you make your online contribution. Tell us what you loved, learned and remember from your 91短视频 experience.