Lander University's recent Day of Giving, held in conjunction with its 149th birthday, was a big success. From noon Feb. 11 to noon Feb. 12, the university raised more than $55,000.
A total of 175 donors from 15 states contributed nearly 200 gifts. Fifty-five percent came from alumni; 27 percent came from faculty and staff members; and 16 percent came from friends of the university. The remainder was contributed by businesses.
Seventy percent of the donations went to support five areas of need that had been identified in advance: the Lander Excellence Fund; the Bear Necessities Food Pantry; the General Scholarship Fund; the Student Crisis Fund; and a fund for the establishment of a Fresh-Air Fitness Court.
Mike Worley, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of The Lander Foundation, said that the goal this year was to eclipse last year's totals, both in amount raised and number of donors - and they succeeded. Total contributions from this year's Day of Giving surpassed those from last year's event by about $15,000.
Worley thanked donors for a level of generosity that he said "exceeded expectations."
"Even during a challenging time with the ongoing pandemic, our alumni, faculty, staff and university friends came through for our students," he said. "Their support is truly incredible."
Lander plans to have another Day of Giving at the same time next year, to mark the 150th anniversary of its founding in 1872.