By Gustavo Dias Juliani, Staff Writer
The Newman community will come together for one of its biggest fundraising events of the year — the annual Giving Day — on Tuesday.
Giving Day was established in February 2020 as a coordinated effort for alumni, students, faculty and supporters to raise money for the university. In the six years since its inception, the event has raised a total of $246,949. This year, the university has set a goal to raise $65,000 from at least 300 individual donors.
Bob Beumer, Newman’s vice president of institutional advancement, said that the event is rooted in the university's history and influenced by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.
“The ASC Sisters have instilled their culture of service, volunteering and giving back into Newman University,” Beumer said. “Giving Day is an opportunity for alumni and friends of the University to come together, follow the Sisters, and give back to the area of campus that they are most passionate about.”
While the primary objective of Giving Day is getting financial support for campus programs, it also serves as a celebration of the university’s mission. Beumer emphasized that hitting the target directly affects the Newman Fund, which supports scholarships.
“We always have more scholarship need than dollars available,” Beumer said. “Gifts to the Newman Fund go a long way in helping Newman University keep costs affordable.”
Laura Hartley, director of annual giving, is helping organize the event. She said even those who can’t give money can help the effort by participating.
“Generosity does not necessarily mean giving huge amounts,” Hartley said. “It means giving what you can so that you can be part of the chorus that says, ‘Newman University is important to me.’”
The festivities will begin prior to the official Giving Day with Trivia Night at 7 p.m. Friday in the Dugan Gorges Conference Center. This year’s theme, “Pop Culture Pandemonium,” features categories ranging from 1960s icons to modern cinema.
On Giving Day itself, students can engage in several campus-wide activities to trigger "challenge donations" from President Kathleen Jagger. The first 15 students to post on Instagram using the hashtag #givetonewman and tagging @newmanuniversity will prompt a $20 donation from Jagger to their chosen area. Additionally, students who find one of five "Hidden Jets" on campus can return it to the Giving Day student booth and will win a university tumbler and the ability to direct a $50 donation to a fund of their choice.
The student booth will be in Eck Hall during the morning and in the Student Success Center in the afternoon. Students who donate at the booth will receive coupons for local restaurants and raffle tickets for prizes, including a $300 healthcare-themed gift basket.
Seeing student commitment is one of the most rewarding aspects of the campaign, Hartley said.
“To see our supporters, alumni, staff, faculty and students come together for a common purpose brings joy to my heart,” Hartley said. “To see current students giving and showing their commitment to the future of Newman University is just so exciting.”
PHOTO: Courtesy, Unsplash
