By Joanna Reid and Nicolas Rontanini
Giving Day took place on March 23, allowing the Adelphi community to come together to support the organizations they believe in. Donations go toward new resources to further education for all Adelphi students. This year the university raised a record-breaking $503,218, an increase of 78 percent over last year, with a total of 1,719 donors.
In honor of Adelphi’s 125th anniversary, with the theme “A landmark year. A landmark day to give,” trustee emerita Helene Sullivan, BA ‘79, challenged 500 members of the Adelphi community to donate $125 each. This goal was surpassed and Sullivan doubled these donations with $125,000. The donations will be going towards a new scholarship to support first-generation college students.
“Giving Day is a campus-wide event, so the success we had this year is thanks to the participation of the entire University community,” said Thomas Kline, vice president of advancement. “The students were enthusiastic, the alumni got involved, the faculty and staff helped to promote their campaigns, and everyone shared in the day’s achievements.”
The athletics program generated the highest amount of donations, raising $105,739. The men’s baseball team led most of those donations, earning over $30,000. Many members of the Adelphi community were inspired to donate to the sports teams they are or were a part of.
Senior Jayla Masci donated to the women’s golf team to support the program and her teammates.
“A lot of money goes into funding athletics. As golf is one of the smaller athletic programs on campus, these monetary donations benefit our team in helping fund for equipment and other necessary gear, training and competitions,” she said.
The Women’s Leadership Fund (WLF) came in second, receiving a considerable amount, $49,036 with only 46 donors. WLF was able to raise so much due to support from their chair members and the Adelphi Board of Trustees generous donation of $25,000. This fund will support women’s leadership activities on campus into the future. Additionally, an anonymous donor gave $15,000 to support the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business.
Among these organizations who have benefited greatly from Giving Day, the Bridges to Adelphi program exceeded their original goal of $10,000, raising a total of $14,845. The money raised will be used to provide free social events and purchase additional vocational assessments for students enrolled in the program.
“This money is going to go to all different areas of our program,” said Amanda Ashe, social coordinator for the Bridges program. “We’re going to be able to give students these opportunities and enhance their experience at Bridges through these donations.”
The funds raised will prove beneficial to other programs on campus as well, such as Athletics. According to Athletics Director Danny McCabe, the funds raised will go to benefit student athletes.
With the success of Giving Day, many celebrations, including one in the University Center lobby, occurred on campus with students, staff and faculty. The University Center celebration even resulted in over 60 students adding “thank you” messages to those who donated.
“Giving Day put the power in your hands to support the areas of campus that meant the most to you. And, no matter which campaign you chose, your gift furthered Adelphi’s mission to provide a transformative education to its students,” Kline said. “ And that is the greatest gift of all.”
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